Chapter 460: Capital City Mass Brawl (Daily Update, Begging for Rewards!)

Looking at Cui Yingyuan before him, Wang Dengku's expression turned extremely ugly. He stood up and said, "You people act in such perverse ways—are you not afraid of the law? Traitorous ministers and rebellious sons will get their retribution sooner or later!"

Hearing this, Cui Yingyuan immediately laughed. He said, "People like you have the nerve to criticize me? I am a loyal minister of the Great Ming, unlike you people who sell out your country for glory. You deserve to die ten thousand times over!"

After saying this, Cui Yingyuan seemed to feel somewhat disinterested, and simply waved his hand.

Looking at Wang Dengku, Cui Yingyuan said with some impatience, "Forget it, no more talking. Talking won't do any good anyway. Can I convince you with words alone? People in this world are just like this—you can never wake someone who is pretending to sleep."

Hearing this, Wang Dengku was taken aback, then asked in a low voice, "What are you going to do?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Come with me." Cui Yingyuan said with a smile. "You'll know when we get there."

Wang Dengku's arrest marked the official beginning of the anti-corruption campaign around Zhangjiakou.

Squad after squad of men began to surface openly. Not only were those merchants who sold out their country arrested, but civil officials and military officers of all ranks in Zhangjiakou were all taken into custody as well.

This operation was extremely swift, and the results were very good. After all, preparations had begun about half a year earlier, and personnel arrangements had long been in place. This operation basically went off without any major complications.

Even if some in the military were dissatisfied, it was useless. After all, the Great Ming was growing stronger and stronger, and the court's armies were becoming more powerful. Many generals at the frontier knew that although the court's situation was not yet ideal, it was already far better than before.

After all, the funds Sun Chengzong had requested, though not fully allocated, had partially arrived. Life on the border had improved considerably. The court had provided substantial grain, and military morale was fairly stable.

Moreover, the border here was relatively peaceful, so life was more manageable. When military officers didn't cause trouble, the hereditary military households below them didn't cause trouble either, so there were no major complications.

Before chaos erupted across the realm, no one dared to openly rebel—that would be courting death. Besides, there were still upright people in the military who could ensure the effective functioning of the armed forces.

For a time, arrests were happening all across the northern lands. The Embroidered Uniform Guard deployed in all directions, and one could say their reputation spread instantly.

Meanwhile, in the capital, the situation was not so good.

Public opinion had fermented fiercely. Many people had begun to attack the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

On the one hand, these people had business connections with the north; on the other hand, they felt that when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. After all, everyone's business dealings were not entirely above board—if they were truly investigated, it would be very troublesome.

Though they didn't want to protect those people in the north, they still had to stop the court from doing such things again.

For a time, public sentiment was boiling over, and officials throughout the court were greatly vexed. However, those at the top knew this was His Majesty's doing, and they had no good way to deal with it.

Inside the Grand Secretariat.

The three Grand Secretaries were meeting again.

Ever since Sun Chengzong had gone to the Staff Office, only three Grand Secretaries remained in the Grand Secretariat. Although there was word that "one need not be a Hanlin to enter the Grand Secretariat," His Majesty seemed to have no intention of adding anyone, which left people somewhat puzzled.

Still, Xu Guangqi could hardly be said to be struggling alone, after all, he had His Majesty's backing.

This time, the three had gathered together naturally to discuss matters in the north. The court's situation was now very complicated, and some matters required the three of them to handle.

With His Majesty absent from the capital, their power had increased considerably. But no one dared to act recklessly—no one knew what instructions His Majesty had left before departing.

After all, besides them, there was also the Staff Office.

Among the ministers in the Staff Office were formidable figures like Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli—truly not people to be underestimated in the slightest.

"How is the situation outside?" Han Kuang looked at Xu Guangqi and asked directly.

Han Kuang was currently somewhat vexed. His Majesty had gone north and stirred up such a huge affair, and now the capital was in such an uproar. Without His Majesty present to hold things down, Han Kuang truly felt a lack of confidence in his heart.

Xu Guangqi glanced at Han Kuang. He held this Chief Grand Secretary, who lacked any sense of responsibility, in low regard. He didn't understand why His Majesty still kept him in office.

But Xu Guangqi also knew this was not the time to argue with Han Kuang. After pondering for a moment, Xu Guangqi said, "The Shuntian Prefecture people just came to report—there's a brawl in the city."

Hearing this, Han Kuang's expression turned somewhat grim. He asked, "How is Chen Qiyu handling things?"

This Chen Qiyu could be said to be one of His Majesty's confidants. He had risen to prominence during the affair of the Prince of Fu in Henan, and subsequently gained His Majesty's favor, being placed directly into the position of Prefect of Shuntian.

Originally, everyone had expected to watch the show, thinking—what could such a young man, having risen to such a high position at such a young age, possibly accomplish?

Moreover, having suddenly obtained such a high post, this man would surely become arrogant, and then he would end up embarrassing His Majesty.

But the reality surprised everyone. After Chen Qiyu took the position of Prefect of Shuntian, one could say he governed the prefecture in perfect order. He was neither arrogant nor rash, fair and balanced—simply a most suitable candidate for the office.

Under such circumstances, there was no way to move against him. But many also realized that Chen Qiyu was a man of ability.

In daily affairs, Han Kuang also knew that Chen Qiyu had always been very confident in governing Shuntian Prefecture. It was precisely for this reason that Han Kuang spoke as he did.

After all, a man who had always been confident could not suddenly do something he had no confidence in—unless the man had lost his wits.

But Chen Qiyu was not that kind of person at all. So there was likely something going on that Han Kuang didn't know about—that was why Han Kuang spoke this way.

Han Kuang wanted to know what exactly had happened.

Xu Guangqi glanced at Han Kuang and said calmly, "It's scholars fighting with scholars."

Hearing this, Han Kuang was first startled, then sat down thoughtfully.

He looked up at Xu Guangqi and asked, "What exactly happened?"

"Some people were discussing the affairs of the north, but others opposed them. Those opposed believe that everyone in the north is a traitor selling out the country—that without severe punishment, the people's anger cannot be appeased, and without severe punishment, the people's hearts cannot be set right. As for those who speak out on behalf of the people in the north—they have simply lost the conscience of a scholar."

"The two sides came to blows over a disagreement, and now the people involved have been taken to Shuntian Prefecture. The prefecture is asking how to handle them."

Xu Guangqi said this with an unhurried air, then took out a stack of routine memorials and directly showed them to Han Kuang, saying, "These just arrived at the Grand Secretariat—all routine memorials submitted by officials at every level. They all say the matters of the north must be severely punished—not only severely punished, but punished swiftly, proclaimed to the world, so that everyone knows that selling out one's country for glory leads to no good end!"

This gave Han Kuang pause.

Wasn't this turn of events happening a bit too fast?

For such things to happen right after the uproar began—could this be someone's arrangement?

Or was this His Majesty's arrangement?

Han Kuang couldn't help but look at Xu Guangqi.

"There's no need to keep hiding things at a time like this." Han Kuang said with a bitter smile. "If you have something to say, just say it directly."

"His Majesty has gone north this time—you all must know what for." Xu Guangqi looked at Han Kuang and Huang Kezuan and said, "I won't say more about this. Those who should understand naturally understand."

Han Kuang and Huang Kezuan exchanged a glance, and neither said anything on the matter.

Naturally, this was a case of those who should understand understanding. His Majesty had gone north. Though it was framed as an inspection tour, in truth he had gone to get money. Both Han Kuang and the other knew this clearly in their hearts.

Although there was no need for His Majesty to go personally, he had gone anyway—and Han Kuang and the others knew why.

First, to increase the chances of success; second, to prevent those investigating corruption from becoming corrupt themselves.

The Great Ming's officialdom was rife with underhanded dealings, and His Majesty truly could not rest easy. The money in the north was what the court needed. Not only was His Majesty's inner treasury empty, but the Ministry of Revenue's coffers were nearly empty as well. The court's expenditures were enormous, and His Majesty still had many things to do—this money absolutely could not be lacking.

These people in the north happened to give His Majesty a convenient pretext. When the court needed to wage war or handle some matter, seizing some people and some money was hardly anything out of the ordinary.

These bigwigs in the court all knew what was going on in their hearts. It wasn't as if they hadn't done the same thing themselves—this was how things had been done for years.

Why did those people in Jiangnan feel so profoundly insecure?

Why did wealthy merchants everywhere cultivate their own officials?

To put it plainly, they wanted a voice, so they wouldn't become lambs waiting to be slaughtered by the court.

Otherwise, the richer you were, the more dangerous you became. Once the court ran into trouble, you were the court's money jar. Only those with backing could protect them, so they entangled themselves with one another and colluded with officials.

The reason His Majesty personally went to the north was to cut through the tangled knot with one swift stroke. No matter who was behind it, no one dared to step forward. His Majesty could even follow the vine to find the melon and drag them all out.

This kind of matter was something everyone understood between themselves, but could not be spoken aloud.

Xu Guangqi saw both men nod and knew they understood his meaning, so he said: "Although many merchants in the north are smuggling, legitimate business is also quite profitable. Now that the northern merchants have been arrested, the northern trade still needs to be carried on."

"The Imperial Household Department has joined forces with quite a few merchants. Word is they've already stockpiled a good deal of goods, and shipments have started moving. These people are preparing to go north and make a killing."

The meaning of these words was obvious—everyone who had gotten into trouble this time had a stake in the matter.

The commercial interests in the north had been vacated, which left a huge commercial gap. Anyone in that position was sure to make a great deal of money. After all, the geographical position and the current situation determined this—there was no changing it.

As long as you shipped the goods over and sold them, you could make money.

Before, it wasn't that people didn't want to do it, but everything was controlled by the northerners, with officials pressing down on top of that. You could send your goods over, and halfway there they might be robbed—then you'd lose both your goods and your money, and whether you even kept your life was anyone's guess.

But now things were different. The northern officialdom was being purged, and a large batch of northern merchants had been killed—and all of them were big figures.

And this time, the business was being led by the Imperial Household Department. What kind of office was that?

That was the imperial household's office. To put it plainly, they did business for the imperial family—whether they lost or profited, it all belonged to the Emperor. Who would dare put obstacles in the way of such business?

If they didn't use their power to bully people, that was already them following the rules. Would anyone dare pull tricks on them?

With the Imperial Household Department taking the lead, these merchants naturally swarmed in. And given the current state of the Great Ming, behind every major merchant association stood a crowd of people—most of them regional factions bound by native-place ties. The strength of these people was not to be underestimated.

Now that someone wanted to speak up for the northerners, these regional factions naturally had to step forward, because next they would be going into business—and it was led by the Imperial Household Department with the imperial family as guarantor.

Under such circumstances, these regional factions naturally had to show their loyalty. To make a big scene so those above could see what they had to offer, what was a brawl compared to that?

And that was how today's situation had come about.

Xu Guangqi's words only touched on the matter briefly. After explaining the Imperial Household Department's involvement, he fell silent.

But Han Kuang and Huang Kezuan were both clever men, and senior figures at court besides—they naturally understood what was going on.

A moment's thought was all it took for both of them to understand, and they both felt somewhat helpless.

This too was probably part of His Majesty's calculations, wasn't it?

Seeing the look of realization on both their faces, Xu Guangqi said directly: "What about the Shuntian Prefecture side? Chen Qiyu is still waiting for our reply."

Hearing this, Han Kuang furrowed his brow and said in a somewhat disdainful tone: "Is he, Chen Qiyu, the Shuntian Prefect, or am I the Shuntian Prefect? Does such a trifling matter need to be brought before the Grand Secretariat? Let him figure it out himself. Don't bring every little thing to the Grand Secretariat."

Though these words sounded like a rebuke, in reality they were a statement of position. Han Kuang was telling Xu Guangqi not to let Chen Qiyu keep jumping around.

At this point, the matter was essentially resolved. Getting through it smoothly and quietly was the best outcome. Don't stir up any more messy business.

The brawl in Shuntian Prefecture was a minor matter—handle it however it should be handled. Did a fight really need to be blown up into a fuss?

Xu Guangqi understood as well—this counted as the several of them reaching a consensus.

And so the matter was settled: big matters reduced to small, small matters reduced to nothing, and the whole thing was pressed down directly. As for the fermentation of public opinion among the people, that was no longer the Grand Secretariat's concern.

But Xu Guangqi understood even better that Chen Qiyu would certainly not let the matter rest there.

Those who had supported the northern merchants would probably receive a proper lesson this time. As for how to show partiality—that sort of thing needed no instruction.

Whoever stuck their head out first, whoever picked the fight—deal with them first. The other side had only fought back in self-defense, so they'd be treated leniently.

As for who had picked the fight—inside the Shuntian Prefecture yamen, a brief investigation would make that clear enough.

If Chen Qiyu couldn't even handle a matter like this, then he wouldn't be Chen Qiyu. The reason he had reported it up was to ask for the Grand Secretariat's stance.

Now the Grand Secretariat had given its stance: minor matters were not its concern—handle it as you see fit. If there was merit, it was yours; if something went wrong, don't come looking for us.