Chapter 344: The Embroidered Uniform Guard Investigates the Case

Xu Guangqi glanced at Zhang Weixian, nodded gently, and said nothing more.

His position had never been the same as Zhang Weixian's, but he believed what Zhang Weixian said was true.

Hereditary nobles, imperial in-laws, and civil officials were fundamentally different. They were bound more deeply to His Majesty, having received imperial favor for generations, and would not dare do anything to betray His Majesty. After all, if they truly did such a thing, disposing of them would be nothing more than a single word from the Emperor.

Besides, Zhang Weixian was now deeply trusted and heavily relied upon by His Majesty; he would not cut off his own future.

"In that case, let it be so!" Xu Guangqi said. "As for how the matter is ultimately handled, that still depends on His Majesty's wishes. We should not involve ourselves too much."

Zhang Weixian and the others understood Xu Guangqi's meaning and each nodded.

The three of them knew that although the current Emperor was young and hot-blooded, his methods were by no means immature. Moreover, he was a very forceful person—once he decided something, it was very difficult to change. If it were a matter concerning the state and the people, then resistance would still be necessary.

But for this particular matter, it simply wasn't worth it. What the Kong family had done truly went too far—not only had they taken so much land and exploited so many commoners, they had even dared to reach their hands into the disaster relief grain. They truly deserved to be taught a lesson.

As for how His Majesty chose to deal with them, that was His Majesty's prerogative. People like themselves should not voice opinions.

Looking at the now-empty room, Zhu Youxiao stood up, let out a sigh of relief, stretched his limbs, glanced at Chen Hong, and said expressionlessly: "Summon Xu Xianchun. Oh, and take good care of the Duke Yansheng—make sure nothing goes wrong."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Chen Hong was startled for a moment, but quickly recovered and hurriedly nodded, saying: "Rest assured, Your Majesty. This servant knows what to do."

In fact, Chen Hong had already been planning.

He had been planning how to make the Duke Yansheng confess his crimes, and then how to make the Duke Yansheng die. Now it seemed His Majesty was keeping the Duke Yansheng alive for other purposes.

Chen Hong also breathed a sigh of relief—after all, killing such a man was no small matter, and not having to act now was fine by him.

What Chen Hong did not understand was that it wasn't that Zhu Youxiao didn't want to kill him—he simply had other ideas, and the time had not yet come.

"Go." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand.

Chen Hong bowed and withdrew, going to find Xu Xianchun.

Zhu Youxiao slowly walked back to the couch, lounged lazily against it, and beckoned to a palace maid not far away, saying: "Give me a massage."

The palace maid naturally dared not be negligent and quickly set to work.

Zhu Youxiao rested his head on one palace maid's thigh while two others held his legs, gently pressing and kneading them.

The palace maid whose thigh Zhu Youxiao was using as a pillow gently massaged his head.

Soon, Xu Xianchun walked in from outside.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Xu Xianchun dropped to his knees with a thud and said: "Your subject Xu Xianchun pays respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao did not get up, but instead said in a somewhat languid tone: "Enough, rise."

Xu Xianchun stood up, keeping his head lowered, not daring to look up.

His Majesty was being attended to—he dared not look over. Looking over would be an act of presumption, and that was something he could not do.

"You've been Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for some time now, haven't you?" Zhu Youxiao asked slowly. "Have you gained any insights?"

Hearing these questions, Xu Xianchun's mind trembled, and he couldn't help but glance toward Chen Hong at the side.

Although the question was simple, answering it was not. If he said the wrong thing, his good days would likely be over.

But Xu Xianchun was soon disappointed.

Because Chen Hong stood there with his head lowered, looking like "I don't want to look at you," giving Xu Xianchun no hint at all.

Xu Xianchun's heart sank, though he naturally would not suspect Chen Hong of not wanting to help him. His own interests were bound together with Chen Hong's—or rather, the interests of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were bound together with Chen Hong's, and Chen Hong knew this very well in his heart.

Eunuch Wei of the Eastern Depot was very forceful; if Chen Hong made the slightest misstep, he would be crushed. The reason the Embroidered Uniform Guard could maintain its current state was precisely because of Eunuch Chen Hong in the palace—or rather, because His Majesty wanted to balance the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

If he did his job poorly, that balance would be lost. Once the Embroidered Uniform Guard lost imperial favor, Eunuch Chen would have no good days either.

Now Chen Hong had actually given him no hint, and wouldn't even dare look at him—that could only mean this was done at His Majesty's instigation. His Majesty wanted to test him. If Chen Hong spoke up or gave any signal, the situation would only get worse.

Xu Xianchun steadied himself, stepped forward, and bowed, saying: "To answer Your Majesty, your subject indeed has deep insights."

At a time like this, he naturally could not say he had no insights. His Majesty wanted to hear his insights; if he dared say he had none, then he needn't bother keeping his position.

"Is that so? Then let's hear it." Zhu Youxiao seemed to have taken an interest and said with a smile.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard monitors the realm for Your Majesty. There is no need for other matters in our hearts—only Your Majesty. When the Embroidered Uniform Guard acts, we need not consider anyone or anything; we only need to follow Your Majesty's commands." Xu Xianchun said with resounding conviction: "In your subject's view, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is Your Majesty's blade. Wherever Your Majesty points, there the Embroidered Uniform Guard charges. Even if it means mountains of blades and seas of blood, even if it means losing our lives, we will not hesitate!"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "Well spoken. You've also handled your duties quite well during this period. I think you are indeed a suitable candidate. Work hard—I have never treated those who serve me poorly."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your subject will not let Your Majesty down." Xu Xianchun said hurriedly.

"There is a matter I need you to handle. It involves quite a lot, and it may offend some people. How about it? Do you dare take it on?" Zhu Youxiao spoke again.

"As long as it is Your Majesty's command, there is nothing your subject dares not do." Xu Xianchun said solemnly.

"You know about the selling of disaster relief grain, don't you? Last time it involved the Prince of Lu, and the matter was already investigated—it was the Prince of Lu's steward and eunuch who were behind it. The people have already been arrested, and they are now in your Embroidered Uniform Guard. There were also others involved in this matter—you know about that too, don't you?"

"To answer Your Majesty, your subject knows." Xu Xianchun nodded and said.

"Then go investigate. Get to the bottom of this matter for me, investigating from the lowest to the highest. No matter who is implicated, arrest them all. This time, let them know what happens when they touch something they shouldn't have." Zhu Youxiao said in a relaxed tone.

As he said this, perhaps because the massage felt too good, Zhu Youxiao even let out a couple of contented grunts.

But Xu Xianchun could hear the killing intent within those words. Yet he was not afraid—on the contrary, he grew even more excited.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. No matter who is implicated, your subject will investigate to the very end." Xu Xianchun said hurriedly.

"Then go." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said: "Oh, right—there's still one vacant seat for a Staff Counselor in the Staff Office. If you handle this matter well, that position will be yours. I'll also give you the title of Grand Commissioner-in-Chief as a reward. But fair warning: if you botch this assignment, you know the consequences."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subject will certainly handle the matter well." Xu Xianchun said hurriedly.

At this moment, his heart was even more agitated. Staff Counselor of the Staff Office—this was one of the most supreme positions. Who were the ones currently sitting in there?

They were all great figures. If he could enter the Staff Office, his status would surely be elevated even further. At that point, no one would dare look down on him.

Thinking of this, Xu Xianchun's eyes nearly turned red.

If you want a horse to run, you have to feed it good grass—Zhu Youxiao understood this well. It was impossible to make people work without giving them benefits.

So Zhu Youxiao promised a heavy reward. As the saying goes, under heavy reward there will surely be brave men—someone like Xu Xianchun would fight with all his might.

"Chen Hong, see him out." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong respectfully acknowledged, then walked over to Xu Xianchun's side with a smile, made a gesture of invitation, and said: "Lord Xu, this way, please?"

"Your subject takes his leave." Xu Xianchun bowed, then walked out together with Chen Hong.

The two walked out of the compound, and Xu Xianchun let out a sigh of relief, then turned directly to Chen Hong and said: "I will need Eunuch Chen's guidance on this matter."

"This is your opportunity." Chen Hong said with a smile.

"His Majesty has promised such a heavy reward, and my heart feels a bit uneasy." Xu Xianchun said with some helplessness: "Please, Eunuch Chen, enlighten me."

"Just investigate the case properly and get to the bottom of it." Chen Hong said with a smile: "You should already know who this case implicates. Since His Majesty has told you what to do, you needn't ask me. Playing dumb in front of me is unnecessary."

"The Duke Yansheng's mansion?" Xu Xianchun said with slight hesitation, then raised his head to look at Chen Hong.

Chen Hong said nothing, only nodded.

Xu Xianchun knew then that his guess was correct.

"This matter is very big. If you truly do it, then it must be made to stick. And you should also know that you will likely have no good reputation left." Chen Hong looked at Xu Xianchun and said: "If you can't handle it, say so now."

"A trivial matter." Xu Xianchun said nonchalantly: "To gain something, one must naturally pay a price. Besides, as ministers serving His Majesty with loyalty, we naturally cannot think too much—matters after death cannot be cared for. If I truly lose my life because of this matter, then it's just my Xu Xianchun's bad luck, and I have no one to blame."

Giving Xu Xianchun an appreciative look, Chen Hong said with a smile: "You are far better than Luo Sigong. Go now, do well. Once this matter is accomplished, I guarantee you will rise to great heights."

"Eunuch Chen, wait for my good news." Xu Xianchun said with a smile.

After saying this, Xu Xianchun walked out.

His steps were very firm. In truth, he truly did not take the Duke Yansheng's mansion to heart, nor did he take those attacks to heart.

As long as His Majesty was willing to protect him, none of these were matters of concern.

As a minister like himself, one must have the awareness of being a blade. Without such awareness, one should simply stay at home obediently.