Chapter 357: Xu Xianchun Makes a Mistake

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong, slowly nodded, and said with a smile: "You, as a servant, have such thoughts, but those outside may not. Their faces are thick-skinned; if they weren't, they would have died out long ago."

"This servant believes their faces are still quite thin." Chen Hong bowed and said: "They must think the same as this servant does."

"Enough of this. Prepare some supper; I am truly a bit hungry." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, speaking casually, looking as if he had no interest in the matter.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will arrange it at once." Chen Hong hurriedly agreed.

Zhu Youxiao merely nodded lightly, said nothing more, and turned to walk outside. He was genuinely hungry, waiting now for the meal.

After Chen Hong had arranged everything, he quietly slipped away from the encampment.

Soon, he arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's headquarters.

The moment he learned Chen Hong had arrived, Xu Xianchun hurried out to greet him.

Xu Xianchun had never dared to be the least bit negligent toward Chen Hong, and now he dared even less. The situation before him was not clear, the circumstances complex, and Xu Xianchun urgently needed news from within the palace.

If anything unexpected happened, or if matters took a turn, and Xu Xianchun could not get word in time, his fate would not be good.

Upon seeing Chen Hong, Xu Xianchun hurriedly bowed and said: "Eunuch Chen."

Chen Hong nodded and said: "Enough, let's talk inside."

After saying this, Chen Hong did not linger there and walked straight inside.

The two soon reached the rear hall.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards standing watch at the door had already shut it; no one dared come near to eavesdrop.

After each had taken a seat, Xu Xianchun smiled and took out a rolled bundle of items, gently pushing it in front of Chen Hong, saying: "Eunuch Chen, a small token of respect, hardly worth mentioning. Please do accept it."

Glancing at Xu Xianchun, Chen Hong picked up the items without changing his expression.

Two land deeds, one house deed, and additionally a flying money note.

Raising his head to look at Xu Xianchun, Chen Hong said with a grim face: "Don't tell me this came from your embezzling during confiscations, or that you took someone's money and let someone off?"

This money was too hot to handle. If Xu Xianchun did not explain clearly, Chen Hong truly dared not take it.

Given the current state of His Majesty, if this matter reached His Majesty's ears, even he himself would not come off well — His Majesty would never let him off either.

Look at the situation in Shandong now — who could possibly get away?

Chen Hong was also furious inside. Why couldn't this man keep his hands to himself?

Money could be taken, but knowing which money could be taken and which could not — only those who could tell the difference would have a future and reap benefits; those who couldn't would only lose their heads.

Taking money at a time like this?

Even courting death wasn't done this way.

Hearing Chen Hong's words, Xu Xianchun quickly said: "Eunuch Chen, rest assured, the source of this money is absolutely without problem."

Xu Xianchun had thought that with just that one sentence, Chen Hong would stop pressing. But to his surprise, upon hearing this, Chen Hong's face instantly darkened.

Chen Hong stared at Xu Xianchun and asked: "Where did this money come from? Embezzled while confiscating goods? Or extorted from corrupt officials?"

As he spoke, Chen Hong pushed the items back, staring at Xu Xianchun: "If you don't explain things clearly, if you don't tell me where this money came from, I will absolutely not accept it. If anything happens, don't come looking for me — I won't have anything to do with it."

Seeing Chen Hong put it so gravely, Xu Xianchun's heart sank.

Before this, Xu Xianchun had also sent Chen Hong gifts, and back then Chen Hong had accepted them readily enough — never had there been a situation like today.

Money greater in amount, items more valuable — Chen Hong had never hesitated over them. There was no reason he would accept before but not now. Clearly, something unusual was going on this time.

Xu Xianchun hurriedly lowered his voice and asked: "Eunuch Chen, has something happened?"

Chen Hong looked at Xu Xianchun and said with a smile: "Nothing's happened. What could happen? Nothing more than you losing your head."

"It's just that I thought you were smarter than Luo Sigong, but it turns out you're only clever in your own eyes. I'll ask you one last time — where exactly did this money come from? If you can't explain clearly, I'm leaving right now."

Hearing this, Xu Xianchun quickly said: "Eunuch, Eunuch, why go this far?"

"Why go this far?" Chen Hong laughed mockingly and said coldly: "People are being arrested everywhere right now, people are dying every day. What makes you think this is a small matter?"

"How many people in Shandong have died because of greed for money? Even the Kong family has fallen. Who do you think you are? How many officials have been arrested from top to bottom? You dare pull this stunt now — do you really think His Majesty doesn't know?"

Xu Xianchun said helplessly: "Eunuch, this money was sent by those grain merchants. They just wanted me to confiscate less during the seizures, to leave some for them, and preferably to let them off entirely."

Hearing this, Chen Hong suddenly slammed the table and shouted: "You dare take this money?"

"Right now Shandong is full of disaster victims, and His Majesty is scrambling everywhere to gather grain to relieve them. And you — you actually dare to set your sights on grain. So many officials in Shandong have fallen over grain, even the Kong family fell over grain. How could you make such a mistake?"

"Eunuch, Eunuch, please don't be so angry — the grain won't be short." Xu Xianchun quickly said: "No matter how bold I am, I wouldn't dare shortchange the grain."

"These people just hope not to be charged with hoarding for profiteering. As for the grain in their hands, they're all willing to hand it over."

Chen Hong turned to look at Xu Xianchun and asked: "Under what name will it be handed over?"

"Donation." Xu Xianchun said after a moment's thought, though he still watched Chen Hong cautiously and said softly: "This way, the grain won't be lacking, we can account for it to His Majesty, and the matter gets done."

Hearing this, Chen Hong smiled — a smile so bright it was radiant.

Standing up, Chen Hong lightly patted Xu Xianchun on the shoulder and said: "Fine, well done. I came here for nothing much; since there's nothing else, I'll be going. Take care of yourself."

After saying this, Chen Hong showed no intention of staying longer and turned to walk outside.

Seeing this, Xu Xianchun truly panicked.

He hurriedly grabbed Chen Hong, made as if to kneel, and said with a mournful face: "Eunuch, Eunuch, you can't abandon me. This isn't such a big matter. It doesn't warrant this!"

"Doesn't warrant this?" Chen Hong sneered: "Someone His Majesty wants strictly investigated, and you actually dare let them off?"

"Is it enough that the grain is made up in full? Who are those people?"

"Hoarding for profiteering, committing every evil deed. Was His Majesty dealing with them just for the grain? No — it was to punish them. And now you've turned bad deeds into good ones. They donate grain — should we erect a stele in their honor too?"

"If this reaches His Majesty's ears, what do you think He will make of it? I'm telling you, Xu Xianchun — if you said this money was embezzled during your confiscations, that would still be better than what you've done now. The money you embezzled, His Majesty might still turn a blind eye to. But this money — I dare not take it."

After saying this, Chen Hong flicked his sleeves and strode outside. He dared not stay here any longer. As for the matters he had originally intended to entrust to Xu Xianchun, he no longer dared to entrust them now.

The reason was simple — with Xu Xianchun having made such a blunder, whether he could even continue in his post was uncertain.

If Xu Xianchun could no longer handle his duties, then naturally he could not entrust matters to him.

Xu Xianchun watched Chen Hong's departing back, his expression shifting unpredictably, then slowly rose to his feet and waved his hand in some vexation.

Why on earth had he told him about this matter?

If he kept his mouth shut and just took the money, wouldn't that have been fine?

At the same time, Xu Xianchun was also growing dissatisfied with Chen Hong.

What was so special about him? Was he the only eunuch in the palace?

But Xu Xianchun only flashed such a thought — in his heart, he was still somewhat afraid. After all, if Chen Hong went into the palace and lodged an accusation against him, there were probably some matters he wouldn't be able to explain clearly.

Besides, regarding the matter of him taking money — if no one exposed it, that would be best; if someone did expose it, it would be impossible to explain.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Xianchun strode quickly out the door.

Since the matter had already come to light, Chen Hong certainly wouldn't cover for him. He should go directly to His Majesty and beg for punishment himself. Otherwise, by the time Chen Hong lodged his accusation, it would be too late.

Zhu Youxiao's residence.

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao was eating.

A bowl of ordinary oil-splashed noodles, made by the imperial chef who had followed along — fragrant, colorful, and delicious in every way.

Paired with a head of garlic, for Zhu Youxiao it could be counted as a worldly pleasure.

Having shed his dragon robe, Zhu Youxiao ate until he was drenched in sweat.

Just at this moment, Chen Hong walked in from outside.

His steps were extremely urgent. Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, without the slightest hesitation, he fell to his knees with a thud.

"What's this about?" Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong and said, "What mistake have you made, to offer such a grand salute?"

"Your Majesty, it's Xu Xianchun, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Chen Hong said hurriedly.

Without the slightest concealment, he told Zhu Youxiao the entire matter from start to finish, then said, "This servant is guilty. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"What does it have to do with you?" Zhu Youxiao said in a calm tone. "What connection does a eunuch in the palace have with the Embroidered Uniform Guard? You needn't trouble yourself over matters on the Guard's side."

"Stand up and step aside. Go out and see whether Xu Xianchun has arrived. If he has, bring him in. Oh, right — he has a trusted subordinate, what was his name?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, his name is Cui Yingyuan." Chen Hong said hurriedly.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Find him as well."

While saying these words, Zhu Youxiao did not look up — he simply kept eating his noodles, and even his hand peeling the garlic never stopped.