Chapter 361: Give the Mad Dog a Chance

After leaving the Embroidered Uniform Guard's interrogation dungeon, Zhao Chunqiu prepared to go see Zhu Youxiao.

This matter was minor if you looked at it one way, but major if you looked at it another. Zhao Chunqiu truly did not dare show the slightest negligence. Without any hesitation, he rushed straight to Zhu Youxiao's bedchamber.

When he saw Zhao Chunqiu, Zhu Youxiao was still somewhat caught off guard. He had not expected things to develop this quickly.

After hearing Zhao Chunqiu finish relating everything, Zhu Youxiao's expression turned somewhat grave.

Zhu Youxiao did not curse Xu Xianchun for being foolish, because he knew that unless things had reached a certain point, Xu Xianchun would absolutely never have chosen to yield.

Judging from the current situation, that so-called "certain big shot" in the capital was not one person, but a group of people.

Both Zhao Chunqiu and he himself had thought wrong. They had originally assumed it was some unknown big shot in the capital, but now it seemed that was not the case.

This was something a group of people in the capital had cooked up. Once the lid was blown off this matter, it would likely implicate quite a number of people.

Zhu Youxiao believed that once he lifted that lid, among the people inside there would certainly be many he was familiar with, and even some close to him. As for the court officials, there would certainly be those he had heavily relied upon as well.

Lifting this lid would produce one of two outcomes. One was that he handled it lightly — after meting out some punishments, everything would go back to how it was before. The other was that he punished severely, showing no regard for personal feelings, and no matter who was implicated, he would punish them all to the fullest extent.

Aside from these two options, there was no other choice.

Because he was the Emperor, and from the very beginning of his reign until now, the principle he had always upheld was fairness and justice. No matter what was involved, no matter who was implicated, he would not soften his heart.

This code of conduct had produced a certain phenomenon: there were many who disliked him, many who opposed him, but also many who were willing to support him as Emperor — Lu Xiangsheng and others among them.

Xu Xianchun saw it clearly. If the Emperor chose to punish severely, his son would not escape either. If the Emperor chose not to punish severely, then it was simple — if he let the people in the capital off, he would certainly have to let the people right in front of him off as well.

For Zhu Youxiao, this was an extremely difficult choice.

"It seems Our image-building has worked out rather well." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

Others did not know what was really going on, but Zhu Youxiao understood clearly in his heart that in the eyes of outsiders, the persona he had built was one of harsh severity. No matter what the matter, no matter who was implicated, he as Emperor would show no mercy.

This persona of hating evil like an enemy could intimidate petty wrongdoers, and at the same time win people's hearts. But these were all just the outward-facing things Zhu Youxiao projected.

For Zhu Youxiao, there was no persona at all. He himself was not the kind of person who hated evil like an enemy. So the considerations of outsiders were utterly meaningless.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zhao Chunqiu and said: "Go find Cui Yingyuan and arrest the Zhou family. Don't touch anyone else for now."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhao Chunqiu promptly acknowledged.

Zhu Youxiao continued: "Since these Zhou family members have brains and think themselves very clever, then We will show them what it means for cleverness to overreach itself."

"In front of Us, being obedient is better than anything else. When arresting the Zhou family, tell the outside world they are members of the Wenxiang sect, plotting rebellion and colluding with the assassins of the Lu Prince's mansion to murder Us. Trying to pull this kind of trick on Us — don't they weigh how much they're actually worth?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant will see to it at once." Zhao Chunqiu bowed respectfully, turned, and walked out.

Zhu Youxiao watched Zhao Chunqiu's retreating figure, then turned to Chen Hong and said: "We have only arrested the Zhou family, and with such a charge, the Zhou family may well be executed to the last member. Tell me, those people who did these things together with the Zhou family — do you think they will fight to the death for the Zhou family?"

In Zhu Youxiao's words, "fight to the death" meant pulling out every piece of leverage they held and exposing all the people they controlled in the capital.

Chen Hong pondered for a moment, then said: "Forgive Your Majesty, but this servant is dull-witted and truly cannot think of an answer."

"It's right that you can't think of one — We can't either." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "But this matter is rather interesting. It has sparked a bit of Our interest."

"Since arriving in Shandong, everything has been dreadfully dull. This matter alone has made Us quite pleased." After saying this, Zhu Youxiao stood up, stretched, and said: "Who would have thought there are still people in this world who enjoy playing games with Us. That truly is unexpected."

Chen Hong stood to the side, not daring to speak, silently mourning for the Zhou family in his heart.

These people were simply too foolish, crashing headfirst into His Majesty like this. They really had iron-hard skulls.

Xu Xianchun couldn't handle you, and you truly thought His Majesty couldn't handle you either?

But these people might indeed be emboldened by their backing, thinking His Majesty truly could not do anything to them. Once His Majesty arrested them, they would expose all those people in the capital. At that point, would the people in the capital be dealt with or not?

They would certainly bind themselves tightly to those people in the capital. But had they never considered that His Majesty could simply change the charge?

Now His Majesty has changed the Zhou family's charge to being members of the Wenxiang sect — this charge is far heavier than the previous one.

Plotting rebellion and attempting to assassinate His Majesty — this is a crime warranting execution of the entire household. Even exterminating three generations of the clan would not be excessive.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong and said: "Has Kong Yinzhi left?"

"To answer Your Majesty, not yet. Your servant cannot find suitable personnel." Chen Hong concealed nothing, relating the matter fully to Zhu Youxiao, then quietly waited for Zhu Youxiao to speak.

After pondering briefly, Zhu Youxiao said: "Let Xu Xianchun go."

"Your Majesty, would that not be somewhat inappropriate?" Chen Hong looked at Zhu Youxiao, speaking with slight hesitation.

As the chief eunuch at Zhu Youxiao's side, Chen Hong had a very clear understanding of his own position. Under normal circumstances, no matter what His Majesty needed to order, Chen Hong would not ask the reason — he would simply carry it out.

But this time was different. Chen Hong had never imagined His Majesty would use Xu Xianchun. He was genuinely worried in his heart. This matter was of great importance — under such circumstances, His Majesty was still willing to use Xu Xianchun?

If something truly went wrong, it would be trouble. By then, things would likely be very difficult to handle.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong, sighed, and said: "Talents like Xu Xianchun are hard to come by. We cannot discard him over something like this. That would be far too great a waste."

Zhu Youxiao was not lying with these words. This was truly what he thought in his heart.

An executioner who devotes himself wholly to his work like Xu Xianchun is truly hard to find. Luo Sigong would retreat, but Xu Xianchun would not — even when facing the Kong family, he would not.

This was a very useful blade.

In this matter, Xu Xianchun had been caught by his weakness — probably a moment of confusion on his part.

Add to that the fact that he had not spent much time with this "evil-hating" Emperor of Ours, and had no idea what kind of Emperor We truly were — that was why he had done such a muddled thing.

If Xu Xianchun were given a chance, perhaps he would not make such a mistake again in the future.

Of course, through this matter, Zhu Youxiao had also become aware of another thing — that Xu Xianchun cared very deeply about his son.

It was good when a person had something they cared about. Where there is something cared for, there is a weakness. Since others could control him through his son, why couldn't he himself do the same?

Seize Xu Xianchun's son, forgive his mistake, give him ample benefits — Zhu Youxiao believed that in this way he would gain a mad dog.

As long as he was willing, it would bite wherever pointed, without any fear of death.

The key point was that Zhu Youxiao also admired Xu Xianchun's abilities. Rather than letting him go home, it was better to keep him working. Employing the guilty is more effective than employing the meritorious.

Men are not sages — who can be without fault?

Zhu Youxiao did not look at Chen Hong, saying with a smile: "We are not the kind of cold-hearted person either. The merits he rendered before are still remembered by Us. Give him another chance."

Zhu Youxiao spoke with great sincerity, and his tone carried a hint of wistfulness.

Chen Hong's expression, however, was very sour. This time, he and Xu Xianchun had truly fallen out. If Xu Xianchun held a grudge against him, things would be hard to manage in the future.

But since His Majesty had already spoken, there would naturally be no changing it.

What His Majesty had just said was actually completely unnecessary to say to him. It was precisely because His Majesty valued him that he had offered those two sentences of explanation—and that made it all the more impossible for him to say anything else.

If, after His Majesty had explained himself, he still insisted on prattling on, that would be showing a complete lack of appreciation for the favor shown to him.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go deliver the decree at once." Chen Hong acknowledged, turned around, and walked out.

By the time Chen Hong arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's headquarters, the place was already bustling with activity.

Cui Yingyuan was leading men in and out, rapidly mustering personnel—clearly preparing to go to the Zhou family residence to make arrests.

Zhao Chunqiu also stood off to one side, his expression grave as he waited.

Upon seeing Chen Hong, Zhao Chunqiu and Cui Yingyuan hurriedly came forward to greet him.

The two men addressed Chen Hong at once: "What brings Eunuch Chen here? Is there some matter you wish to instruct us on?"

"I'm not here for you two—I'm here for Xu Xianchun." Chen Hong said slowly. "Where is he? Take me to see him."

Hearing these words, Zhao Chunqiu showed no particular reaction.

This matter had nothing to do with him to begin with; he was only responsible for getting to the bottom of things. As for what happened to Xu Xianchun? He didn't care.

Cui Yingyuan, standing off to the side, began to panic somewhat.

Why were they looking for Xu Xianchun now? Hadn't Xu Xianchun already been knocked to the ground?

He had only just taken over Xu Xianchun's post—was Xu Xianchun about to make a comeback now?

If Xu Xianchun managed to turn things around, what would become of him?

Glancing at Zhao Chunqiu, Cui Yingyuan hastily said, "This subordinate will accompany you, Eunuch."

"Very well." Chen Hong acknowledged, letting Cui Yingyuan lead the way.

After the two had walked a few paces, Chen Hong said, "His Majesty has a task for Xu Xianchun. This time, he may well be making his comeback."

Hearing this, Cui Yingyuan's face instantly turned very ugly. Somewhat helplessly, he said, "His Majesty truly does favor him."