Chapter 409: Struggling with the Eunuch Dogs

Han Kuang and the other two heard their sovereign's words, and the expressions on their faces turned somewhat ugly, the worry in their hearts growing even heavier.

How could they let Wei Zhongxian conduct the investigation?

Who didn't know that Wei Zhongxian and Cui Chengxiu were thick as thieves?

If Wei Zhongxian were allowed to investigate, who knew what trouble might arise?

His Majesty had not used the Eastern Depot's people for a long time now—whenever anything came up, he always handed it to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Why had he suddenly thought of the Eastern Depot again?

Wei Zhongxian was a base and petty man, acting without any scruples or principles—one could say he was the very picture of a proper eunuch.

This was a man everyone looked down upon! These eunuchs really never gave up; who knew when they would leap out and stir up trouble.

Han Kuang and the other two had very grim expressions. They wanted to offer words of counsel, but didn't know how to advise.

After all, what His Majesty had just said still made sense. Everyone's heated argument just now had probably already fallen under His Majesty's eye.

Perhaps it was precisely because everyone had been fighting and scrambling before His Majesty that he had taken it into his head to have Wei Zhongxian investigate. If they kept arguing over this matter, who knew what else might come of it.

Han Kuang and the other two secretly hated Wei Zhongxian in their hearts, yet there was nothing they could do about it.

After a moment of deliberation, Zhu Youxiao spoke slowly: "Do my several beloved ministers have anything else? If not, then let us leave this matter here for now. As for how it will ultimately be handled, we shall wait until Wei Zhongxian returns from his investigation."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Han Kuang and the other two hastily assented.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, rose to his feet, and walked toward the rear.

Empress Zhang was about to give birth at any moment; it was better for him to go back early and keep her company. He truly had no time to waste idling with Han Kuang and the others.

As for this matter, Zhu Youxiao had already arranged everything long ago—every step had been calculated to completion. Naturally, he would not allow Han Kuang and the others to ruin things.

As long as matters did not exceed Zhu Youxiao's expectations, then for him, everything was acceptable.

After Zhu Youxiao had left, Han Kuang and the other two exchanged glances, each of their eyes carrying a measure of helplessness.

As for Xu Guangqi, he felt mostly dissatisfaction. If not for Han Kuang and the other one stirring up trouble, how could things have come to this?

Xu Guangqi gave a cold snort, turned around, and walked out.

Watching Xu Guangqi leave in high dudgeon, Han Kuang smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Could this count as lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own feet? Or perhaps it was the clam and the crane fighting while the fisherman reaped the benefit—letting Wei Zhongxian pick up an easy bargain?

Han Kuang's heart immediately gave a start.

Surely His Majesty hadn't seen through his struggle with Xu Guangqi? If that really were the case, then things were troublesome—it would mean their infighting had wearied His Majesty, or rather provoked His Majesty's displeasure, prompting him to pull out the Wei Zhongxian card.

Thinking of this, Han Kuang's expression turned grave.

They could not go on like this.

Huang Kezuan walked over to Han Kuang's side and asked: "Grand Secretary, what do we do next?"

Huang Kezuan had naturally seen Han Kuang's grave expression and knew that there were things in this that he himself had not thought of, but Han Kuang already had. To Huang Kezuan, this was a familiar matter.

"Better to stay still than to move. Until His Majesty's intentions are clear, do nothing."

After thinking it over, Han Kuang said: "We calculated this way and that, but in the end we still failed to calculate His Majesty into the equation, and so we fell short of success. Do not get involved in this matter any further. Tell those below us to keep themselves in check. The days ahead will likely not be peaceful—do not stir up any more trouble."

Seeing Han Kuang's expression so grave, Huang Kezuan also nodded lightly and said: "I understand. Once I return, I will pass the word down."

The two men left the palace together and went their separate ways to attend to their own affairs.

Zhu Youxiao's decree quickly reached the Eastern Depot.

In an instant, the entire Eastern Depot erupted in excitement.

This period had not been good days for the Eastern Depot. Whenever His Majesty had matters to handle, he used the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as if he had forgotten the Eastern Depot entirely. As a result, everyone in the Eastern Depot was inevitably burning with anxiety.

One had to understand—this was winning the contest for favor. Whoever lost His Majesty's favor would find their days hard indeed.

Wei Zhongxian especially—the man nearly jumped out of his skin, his heart surging with excitement.

For Wei Zhongxian, the previous stretch of time had been very hard to bear. He felt as if he had been forgotten by His Majesty, as if the days of being favored and trusted by the sovereign had vanished never to return.

For Wei Zhongxian, this was unacceptable. But not accepting it wouldn't do either—there was no good way to change it. He could hardly run to His Majesty and throw a scene, could he? He didn't have the guts for that.

"Gather all our people together." Wei Zhongxian forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart, not letting his subordinates see it.

But his subordinates were excited in their hearts too, and the expressions on their faces naturally showed it.

When Wei Zhongxian saw this, it stirred his own heart as well, and the smile on his face grew even harder to conceal.

Glancing at Sun Yunhe standing beside him, Wei Zhongxian asked: "Are all our people assembled?"

Sun Yunhe hastily replied: "Reporting to the Director, all are assembled. These past days have driven everyone mad with frustration—we've all been waiting for a single word from the Director. Our people will absolutely not disgrace the Director!"

Hearing this, Wei Zhongxian nodded with satisfaction.

His gaze sweeping over his subordinates, Wei Zhongxian rose to his feet and said slowly: "I know what you're all thinking. I know your days have not been easy. This time, our opportunity has come—we absolutely must not let it slip! His Majesty wants us to investigate those people at the Academy. This time, we must do this job well!"

"Whoever does the job well will naturally be rewarded by me; whoever botches things up had best not blame me for showing no mercy."

Hearing these words, the men below hastily said: "Rest assured, Director—we will certainly devote ourselves wholeheartedly!"

Wei Zhongxian nodded with satisfaction and said: "Then send everyone out and see just who is stirring up trouble. Get the spies moving and have them diligently gather intelligence for me. Whoever brings good news will find me generous with rewards!"

"Yes!" The crowd hastily answered in loud voices, excitement written all over their faces.

Wei Zhongxian nodded with satisfaction and said: "Now go attend to your duties."

After everyone had dispersed, Wei Zhongxian glanced at Sun Yunhe beside him and said: "Come with me. Let us first go see Cui Chengxiu."

Hearing Wei Zhongxian say this, Sun Yunhe said in a low voice: "Does Your Excellency need to go see him in person? If there's anything, just summon him over and ask."

Wei Zhongxian said coldly: "What do you know?"

"This is now official business. Official business must be conducted with the proper appearance of official business—how can it be handled through private channels?"

"We must go with great fanfare! We must go openly and aboveboard! Cui Chengxiu is currently presiding over this matter, and we are merely investigating—naturally, we should call on him. When we get there, remember this: Cui Chengxiu is the principal official, so your attitude must be courteous. This is for outsiders to see. Understood?"

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's words, Sun Yunhe naturally understood. He was no fool, nor was he ignorant—he simply hadn't caught on in the moment.

He hastily said: "Yes, this subordinate understands!"

Wei Zhongxian and his companion led their men out of the Eastern Depot and made their way in full force toward the Censorate.

The Censorate indeed held no goodwill toward the Eastern Depot—in fact, they were quite hostile. The two sides had some overlap in their responsibilities, and over the years their conflicts had erupted more than once. Countless Censorate officials had been thrown into the Eastern Depot's prisons, and countless numbers had died within those walls. These men ordinarily prided themselves on their uprightness and considered themselves pure and incorruptible—naturally, they would not give the Eastern Depot a kind look.

When Wei Zhongxian arrived at the Censorate, the entire Censorate braced itself as if facing a formidable enemy.

Yet Wei Zhongxian turned a blind eye to this situation, his face wearing a brilliant smile as if he were a neighbor dropping by for a visit, his manner extremely gentle and affable — in any case, it made people quite uncomfortable.

Once Wei Zhongxian stated his purpose, the expressions of the Censorate personnel turned somewhat strange.

Most people had heard of and knew about the relationship between Cui Chengxiu and Wei Zhongxian; it was simply that no one could bring it up.

In recent days, Cui Chengxiu had been rising rapidly through the ranks, and everyone had subconsciously overlooked this matter. But this time, Wei Zhongxian's arrival made everyone recall it.

However, everyone's shock did not last long before it was replaced by another matter — namely, that Wei Zhongxian had actually come to investigate the gathering of students from the Shoushan Academy.

Once this news came out, everyone shifted their attention to the matter of the Shoushan Academy students' gathering.

The matter of the Shoushan Academy students' gathering was now causing an uproar in the capital, and everyone knew the situation. In this way, everyone understood the attitude of the palace.

His Majesty would not compromise on this matter! Something big was about to happen — the wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains!

The moment Cui Chengxiu received the news, he walked out of his duty room, his expression a riot of conflicting emotions.

In Cui Chengxiu's heart, on the one hand, he was pleased — because with Wei Zhongxian backing him, he no longer needed to worry. Previously he had feared someone might kick him while he was down, but now that Wei Zhongxian had come, it represented His Majesty's attitude. Half of his heart could rest easy, and the remaining half was about to settle as well.

On the other hand, Cui Chengxiu also had some concerns — namely, was Wei Zhongxian's arrival a good thing or a bad thing? With the Eastern Depot's involvement in this matter, it would probably not be so simple. If Wei Zhongxian intended to strike hard, Cui Chengxiu feared he himself would end up in more trouble than he could handle.

Although his relationship with Wei Zhongxian was close and many knew of it, in the end it could not be brought out into the open.

If this time he cooperated with Wei Zhongxian in moving against the students, Cui Chengxiu's reputation would likely become even more foul. It was already rotten throughout the streets; by then it would probably be so foul as to be unmentionable.

Under such circumstances, how could Cui Chengxiu not be worried?

The moment he saw Wei Zhongxian, Cui Chengxiu hurriedly bowed and said, "So it is Director Wei of the Eastern Depot! May I ask what business brings the Director to the Censorate today?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian's attitude became even more deferential. With a brilliant smile on his face, he clasped his hands toward Cui Chengxiu and said, "So it is Lord Cui! For Lord Cui to personally come out to receive me — I am truly overwhelmed by the honor!"

"I have come unannounced, and I hope Lord Cui will not take offense. But this is His Majesty's commission, and I dare not delay. I beg Lord Cui's generous indulgence!"

Wei Zhongxian's words were extremely courteous, yet they also made his purpose clear. He had come here on official business, not to discuss personal matters.

These words were naturally also meant for others to hear, and at the same time they expressed his stance.

Cui Chengxiu hastily said, "Of course, of course. Director Wei, please come inside — let us discuss matters in detail within."

At the same moment Cui Chengxiu invited Wei Zhongxian inside, the news had already spread, and it traveled extremely quickly. After those in official circles learned of it, it spread to the common people.

That said, everyone was a scholar, and although they could not openly express their stance after this matter came to light, in their hearts they still supported it.

After this news spread, one could say public opinion was in an uproar. Countless people began to worry, and some even started to fear, feeling that this matter was about to take a bad turn.

Everyone knew what sort of person Cui Chengxiu was, and his relationship with Wei Zhongxian was common knowledge. Now that these two had gotten together, would that not turn heaven and earth upside down?

Framing the loyal and upright, extracting confessions by torture — these would probably become commonplace.

Thus, for a time, public indignation ran high, and countless people began rushing about, wanting to bring Wei Zhongxian down.

As the clamor grew, the spearhead pointed directly at the Grand Secretariat.

Originally, the Grand Secretariat was the scapegoat — whenever anything happened, it was because the Grand Secretaries had not done their job well. Now these scholars looked down on the three Grand Secretaries even more, feeling that they had utterly disgraced the scholarly class.

Why don't you persuade His Majesty? If His Majesty wants to enforce this by force, why don't you dare to remonstrate frankly to his face?

To preserve your official positions, disregarding justice and righteousness — you are simply unworthy of being called scholars! Even more unworthy of being court ministers!

For a time, countless memorials were submitted from various offices and surged toward the court.

Most of these memorials impeached the three Grand Secretaries, and Han Kuang, as the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, became the target of universal condemnation — to the point where everyone was crying out against him, and all sorts of crimes were being pinned on him.

For a long time now, everyone had been quite dissatisfied with Han Kuang. This Chief Grand Secretary acted without any sense of responsibility, did nothing to champion the scholars, did nothing to champion the officials, and instead fawned upon and flattered the sovereign — he was simply a power-wielding minister, a treacherous minister!

For a time, Han Kuang's prestige plummeted, and the capital took on the appearance of a storm about to break.

As for what Wei Zhongxian and Cui Chengxiu discussed, naturally no one knew. The two conspired in secret within the room, and it was impossible for outsiders to pry out even a shred of information.

However, after the two finished their scheming, they hurried together to the Shoushan Academy.

After this news spread, everyone's gaze once again converged on the Shoushan Academy. Everyone wanted to see what Wei Zhongxian would do, and even more students rushed to the Shoushan Academy.

For a time, public indignation ran high. This was no longer about academy reform — everyone was going to resist the powerful eunuch.

A eunuch dog like Wei Zhongxian actually dared to move against the students?

This time, they absolutely could not tolerate it!

To defend the righteousness of the scholarly class, this time they would fight to the end against this eunuch dog Wei Zhongxian!

The situation was on the verge of exploding.