Chapter 419: Xiong Tingbi Enfeoffed as Earl

The court had been fairly stable during this period, but a single piece of news threw it into chaos once again.

His Majesty's plan to audit the land was hardly good news for the hereditary nobles and the imperial in-laws.

Around the capital, and even throughout the entire Shuntian Prefecture, most of the land belonged to them. Of course, some of it had proper title deeds, and some was even estate land granted by the emperor himself.

That all had documentation behind it, so auditing it posed no real problem. Their only worry was that they had too much land—the annexed holdings might displease the imperial house.

But there had already been one audit before, and everyone had paid their taxes, so it wasn't a major matter. After all, when the Duke of Cheng had taken the lead last time, everyone had swallowed a bitter loss and put all their land up for taxation.

Still, there was one thing they could rest easy about: once the taxes were paid, His Majesty would no longer make things difficult for them, and the land could be openly registered under their names—no more hiding and sneaking around like before.

So the court's land audit didn't frighten them, since everything was already on the registers. Their only real worry was the land they had encroached upon—wasteland hills that they had simply drawn a circle around and claimed.

As for buying it from the Shuntian Prefecture yamen, some had purchased, some hadn't, and most hadn't.

After all, it was land nobody wanted; they'd just fenced it off, and no one had come to interfere, so the money was saved.

Those with foresight felt it was a small price for a big gain and bought the land outright.

But others were different—short-sighted, unwilling to spend the money. Those people were panicking now. Last time the audit had covered farmland; this time everything was being checked, even temples and monasteries.

The moment the news came out, the court was in an uproar—though the uproar was among the hereditary nobles and imperial in-laws.

The civil officials, by contrast, sat calmly on their fishing platforms; they had no land around the capital anyway. With something like this happening, they were only too happy to watch the show.

After the matter came to light, some were quite proactive. The Duke of Ying's household and the Duke of Ding's household, for instance, declared their support for the court's audit at the very first opportunity. Anything in their households that was not in order would be cleaned up immediately, and they would accept the court's punishment.

The Duke of Cheng's household also made its statement afterward.

For a time, anxiety spread even further.

Originally, the hereditary nobles and imperial in-laws could be said to huddle together for warmth. But ever since the Staff Office had been established, the trend toward division between the two groups had grown ever more serious.

The Duke of Ding had been excluded from the Staff Office. Lately he had been extremely cautious, not daring to involve himself in anything; whenever there was a chance to flatter His Majesty, he absolutely would not let it pass.

Because the Duke of Ding understood that he had already fallen out of His Majesty's favor, and if he kept pushing, there could be trouble. If his title were demoted two grades, his whole family would lose face—how could he hold his head up among people?

So with this policy, even if it meant offending some people, the Duke of Ding was the first to stand up and support it.

As for the Duke of Ying, there was no need to even mention him. He was now the celebrated number one among the hereditary nobles, a man of real power in the Staff Office—one of the leading candidates for Chief of Staff, and the most powerful figure in the military.

A man like that, holding great power in his hands and standing at the threshold of another promotion, would naturally not begrudge giving up a little of his household's property.

Beyond that, there was the Duke of Cheng. Last time with the grain and tax payments, he had already tricked others once, and he'd been tricked himself as well. But the Duke of Cheng did not dare to retreat either. Though he wouldn't take the lead, following along was no problem.

With several dukes all in agreement, the other hereditary nobles and imperial in-laws had no way to oppose it even if they wanted to.

Though on the surface it appeared that the power of the hereditary nobles had increased, those who understood the situation knew that since the Staff Office had been established, their power had actually been weakened.

With the establishment of the Imperial Guard Command, their power was weakened even further.

Zhu Youxiao's power had been strengthened to an unprecedented degree, and with the support of the civil officials on top of that, this audit required almost no effort at all.

It was the monasteries and temples that caused a bit of trouble instead.

They had usually bought land to build their temples; some hadn't even bought land at all, simply finding an unclaimed piece of wasteland to build on—some even on hillsides, with fields cleared around them. As for title deeds, naturally they had none.

With nothing at all, these unlicensed monasteries and temples naturally fell within the scope of the crackdown. These people were not to be trifled with—every one of them was stubborn to the bone. But since this was only an audit for now, not yet a purge, the conflict hadn't escalated too severely.

Deep within the imperial palace.

Zhu Youxiao listened to Chen Hong's report, nodding from time to time.

After a long moment, Zhu Youxiao opened his eyes and said: "Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate those temples. Anyone without an ordination certificate is to be expelled. Any temple found harboring persons who took vows without certificates is to be punished severely without exception."

There was no room for negotiation on this matter. The New City development plan could not be delayed because of some monks and Daoists getting in the way.

These people were dripping with wealth, producing nothing, and now they wanted to squat on land and refuse to give it up?

Dream on.

If they obediently behaved themselves, took their demolition compensation, and moved out quickly, that would be for the best. If they didn't know what was good for them, then they had only themselves to blame for Zhu Youxiao's lack of courtesy.

Before money, there was no room for discussion. He would simply have the Embroidered Uniform Guard act and arrest them all.

This was the Great Ming, and the Great Ming's emperor did not believe in religion.

The one emperor who had been a religious fanatic was the Jiajing Emperor—but that was not Zhu Youxiao.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This slave will immediately transmit the decree to the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Chen Hong said hurriedly.

Zhu Youxiao was very confident about this matter; absolutely no problems would arise. Even if problems did arise, they would have to be pushed through by force.

Kill them, kill them, kill them all!

Zhu Youxiao now had this confidence, because Nurhaci was already dead.

Though Nurhaci's death did not mean the affairs of Liaodong and the Mongols were completely settled, nor that the threat was entirely gone—after all, Hong Taiji was also a man of great talent and bold vision, and he had accomplished quite a few things.

But there was one thing Zhu Youxiao believed: they would need to be quiet for a while and would not attack the Great Ming in the short term.

If the Great Ming did not take the initiative to attack them, then Hong Taiji would treat Ligdan Khan of the Mongols as his opponent and attack directly from east to west. Zhu Youxiao would actually be happy to see such a situation.

After all, Ligdan Khan was no good either. Dogs biting dogs, all covered in fur—that was a good thing as far as Zhu Youxiao was concerned.

What Zhu Youxiao needed was time and money. Once he had sorted out domestic affairs and trained up the troops, then it would be whoever dares, let them come. With Liaodong stable and the Mongols unable to make trouble, Zhu Youxiao could make his move.

So domestically, in internal affairs, Zhu Youxiao could afford to act tough.

Liaodong, Shenyang city.

The smile had not left Xiong Tingbi's face these past days.

With Nurhaci dead, Shenyang city had become much more peaceful, and they had even begun secretly expanding northward, watching for an opportunity to retake Tieling and Qinghe.

Recently, scout riders had been constantly sallying out, and the situation in Shenyang was excellent.

Under such circumstances, the court's rewards had also arrived. How could Xiong Tingbi not be delighted?

Li Guangrong walked in from outside. Upon seeing Xiong Tingbi, he laughed and said: "Great Marshal, your earl's ceremonial robes are finished—they've delivered them. Your subordinate has looked at them; they're very fine."

This time, Xiong Tingbi had rendered distinguished military service and was directly enfeoffed as an earl. Even if it was only a lower-grade earl, it was still an earl!

As for Li Guangrong, he had been enfeoffed as a viscount, a mid-grade viscount—he could now be counted among those with noble titles. From now on, not only would he draw an official's salary, he would also draw a noble's salary. In both wealth and status, it was a great elevation.

Hearing Li Guangrong's words, Xiong Tingbi smiled and said: "Work hard, and I believe you'll have such a day too."

Li Guangrong smiled as well and said: "By that time, Great Marshal will surely have advanced to marquis or duke, and we'll all be able to bask in your glory."

This time, everyone in Liaodong received rewards, and they were all in high spirits chatting.

At that moment, a voice suddenly sounded excitedly from outside: "The court's rewards have arrived! You two are certainly pleased, but you can't avoid treating us to a feast."

As soon as the words were spoken, a figure walked in from outside.

It was Liao Zhong, a Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Upon seeing Liao Zhong, Xiong Tingbi and the other man both smiled at the same time.

Xiong Tingbi said directly: "Treating you to a feast is no problem — choose any place you like. Fine wine and good dishes will be served; everyone must eat and drink to their heart's content."

"Then I'll be waiting for that," Liao Zhong said with a smile.

After saying this, Liao Zhong did not speak again, but instead turned to look at Li Guangrong.

That gaze made Li Guangrong feel somewhat bewildered.

He then suddenly realized what was going on, and hastily cupped his hands and said: "If there is nothing else, this humble officer will take his leave."

Liao Zhong clearly had matters to discuss with Xiong Tingbi that he did not want Li Guangrong to hear. Li Guangrong decisively chose to leave — listening further would only bring him no benefit.

Xiong Tingbi naturally understood as well, and waved his hand, saying: "Very well, you may withdraw."

Li Guangrong turned and walked out.

After he had left, Liao Zhong looked at Xiong Tingbi and said: "Along with this batch of rewards came a secret letter from His Majesty, addressed to the Grand Marshal."

As he spoke, Liao Zhong took out a box from inside his robes.

A flat box, not large, fitted with a very exquisite lock and sealed with strips — clearly showing it had been secured at every layer.

Xiong Tingbi did not dare to be negligent. He reached out and took the box, then carefully examined it.

The lock showed no signs of being pried, and the seals showed no signs of being tampered with. Only then did Xiong Tingbi take the key from his waist and open the lock.

A secret memorial box — this was not something just anyone possessed, and it was usually one-to-one.

One lock had two keys: one kept by the Emperor, the other by the minister, used for communicating with each other. The lock was precisely to prevent information from leaking.

Xiong Tingbi opened the lock and took out an envelope from the box.

He checked the wax seal for the imprint, confirmed there was no problem, and only then did he tear open the letter.