Chapter 493: Going South to Jiangnan

"Surely you don't expect me to deliver a message for you?" Zhang Weixian said, frustrated that his friend would not see reason.

As for how thoroughly His Majesty controlled the capital, although the court officials had no concrete understanding of it in their hearts, they were all well aware that His Majesty's knowledge of the capital absolutely exceeded everyone's expectations.

Whether it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Eastern Depot, His Majesty spent no small amount of money on them every year. Where that money went, basically no one knew, and no one dared to audit His Majesty's accounts.

These past two years the court had been quiet, with no major incidents occurring, so the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot had not been tasked with anything. Then what was that money being used for?

Everyone could guess — nothing more than arranging agents, or even buying people off.

His Majesty knew every stir of wind or rustle of leaf in the capital with perfect clarity. In fact, within the residences of various ministers, there were likely people from the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and quite a few of their household members had probably been bought as well.

Under such circumstances, everyone had to act with extreme caution. Even the ministers knew that there were informants in their own homes.

Take Duke of Ying Zhang Weixian, for example — he knew exactly who in his household was a spy, but he could not expose them, nor could he drive them away. He could only pretend to know nothing, and when conducting affairs, he could not even hide anything from this spy.

That feeling was extremely unpleasant, but this was His Majesty's arrangement — would you dare turn hostile over it?

Under such circumstances, every move the ministers made had to be careful and cautious.

If it were small moves, that would be one thing, but if it were major moves, they truly did not dare make them, for fear of inviting trouble upon themselves.

Take this matter, for instance — His Majesty was going to Nanjing, and Duke of Ding was worried about the Wei Guogong Mansion in Nanjing. He wanted to help, at least by sending a message over so they could make some preparations in advance.

But in reality, Duke of Ding did not dare do such a thing. If he sent the message over, His Majesty would find out, and such a matter would certainly not please His Majesty.

So Duke of Ding sought out Duke of Ying, hoping that Duke of Ying could help him come up with some ideas.

Zhang Weixian did not want to get involved in such a troublesome affair at all — what did it have to do with him?

Even if something happened to the Wei Guogong Mansion, at worst His Majesty would extort some money from them. Could he strip them of their hereditary title? Or have their people arrested and killed?

Even if they were arrested and killed, that would not be a big deal. Having been passed down for so many years, with such a large family and vast estate, there were surely plenty of rotten elements. Following His Majesty in executing a batch of them might even be a good thing.

Moreover, this matter had nothing to do with Zhang Weixian — he could not be bothered to deal with it.

Duke of Ding said helplessly, "We are all of one heart."

Zhang Weixian glanced at Duke of Ding, a strange expression on his face.

Why speak of being of one heart at a time like this? Did he intend to unite against His Majesty? What did he take himself for?

In the past, people like themselves were suppressed by the civil officials. Although they nominally held military power, in reality their authority was only so-so. After all these years, the civil officials could deal with people like them whenever they pleased — let alone the Emperor?

And now?

The current Emperor not only had the support of the civil officials, but also the Imperial Guard agencies. With those two Imperial Guard forces alone, Zhang Weixian believed they were surely invincible under heaven.

Although he did not know what His Majesty was waiting for, nor why His Majesty had delayed opening hostilities in Liaodong, Zhang Weixian understood that this was absolutely no reason to provoke His Majesty.

"Look after yourself!" Zhang Weixian left these words behind and turned to walk out.

Zhang Weixian truly could not be bothered to waste words with Duke of Ding. He needed to prepare himself properly, and preferably see if there was a chance to accompany the entourage to Jiangnan.

This time should be a good opportunity — once he arrived in Jiangnan, there would be many things he could do.

At present, a certain sentiment was brewing within the Great Ming army, and the situation was not very good. Especially after the rise of the Imperial Guard, there was considerable criticism from all regions, and the Staff Office had received quite a lot of reports.

Zhang Weixian believed that this situation probably would not last much longer.

As a fairly well-known meritorious noble of the late Ming, and having followed Zhu Youxiao for so long, Zhang Weixian could more or less grasp a bit of Zhu Youxiao's thinking.

That was — His Majesty was very likely planning to stir things up, and the reason was these armies.

His Majesty would very likely abolish the hereditary military household system, after all, the Imperial Guard were all recruited. His Majesty certainly had this idea; it was just that funds and grain were insufficient at present.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao really did have such thoughts. As for the military, the Great Ming army definitely needed to be streamlined, and future wars would not be won by sheer numbers.

For a country as large as Great Ming, maintaining an army of around one million would suffice — of course, that referred to firearm units. In the age of cold weapons, numbers still ruled.

Duke of Ding watched Zhang Weixian leave, a helpless expression appearing on his face, then shook his head with a bitter smile.

Although he had come to see Zhang Weixian, in reality this was to test His Majesty's attitude.

If Zhang Weixian agreed, then it would mean His Majesty's stance had softened somewhat; if Zhang Weixian did not agree, then it would mean His Majesty's stance was non-negotiable.

Now that he had obtained the answer he wanted, Duke of Ding also prepared to leave the palace. Since this matter could not be managed, he might as well not manage it at all — he would leave this place first and think about it later.

The news spread quickly — the Emperor was going south. This was a major event.

For some southern officials, their hearts immediately began to tremble with fear.

Back then when the Emperor left the palace, the things he had done could be said to be still fresh in memory — heads rolling, blood flowing like rivers.

Now His Majesty was going to leave the palace again, and to Jiangnan of all places — who knew what would happen?

Even some merchants in Jiangnan felt extremely uneasy, especially those who had engaged in illegal business — their hearts were filled with terror.

Nothing bad was going to happen, was it?

Back then, a large batch of merchants in Zhangjiakou had been eliminated, and they had no confidence in their hearts. It had even implicated the Shanxi merchants — many of them had their households confiscated and were executed. This time His Majesty was going to Jiangnan — would it be like before?

Everyone felt uncertain at heart, and for a time public opinion was in an uproar, with voices of opposition rising to a crescendo.

As for the reasons for opposition, naturally they were varied.

Zhu Youxiao paid no attention to this, merely summoning a few ministers within the palace.

At the head was naturally Zhao Bingzhong, with Chen Sihai at his side.

These two were now Zhu Youxiao's trusted confidants. Over the past few years they had not been promoted, but no one dared to look down on them either.

In recent days they had handled quite a number of cases — any case involving officials was now basically under their jurisdiction. They had already taken on something of the character of the Great Ming's discipline inspection commission, and it could be said their power was very formidable.

Zhu Youxiao looked at the two men before him and said, "Preparations are just about complete, I take it?"

In fact, over these four years, although Zhu Youxiao appeared to have done nothing and remained very tranquil, his covert arrangements had never ceased.

Whether it was the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or their side, they had all been rapidly making arrangements. Many things had been put in place imperceptibly, and even the Imperial Household Department had been cooperating.

Under such circumstances, Zhu Youxiao had gained mastery over many things. Previously he simply had not lifted the lid; now that the time had come, he naturally had to fling the lid open with force, letting these people know what it meant that a state has its laws.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bingzhong said directly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, preparations are just about complete."

"In that case, nothing could be better." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "This trip south will bring you along. Then we shall see how you perform. Do not disappoint Us."

Zhao Bingzhong and the other both nodded simultaneously, then rose and bowed, saying, "Rest assured, Your Majesty — your servants will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao nodded once more and said, "Very well, the two of you may go. Return and prepare yourselves properly — we set out in a few days."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhao Bingzhong and the other man acknowledged once more, turned around, and walked out.

After Zhao Bingzhong and the other man had left, Zhu Youxiao stood up, stretched his limbs, and headed toward the rear palace.

In truth, there were still troubles in the rear palace. Although Zhu Youxiao had not gone out for several years, this time he was going out, and the duration would certainly not be short.

He needed to explain things to the Empress—after all, his previous escape had already made the Empress quite displeased. The women of the rear palace still needed to be placated.

It was just that these two days would likely be very tiring. Over the following days, Zhu Youxiao did not hold court either, hiding away in the rear palace the whole time.

The ministers could not find Zhu Youxiao, so all they could do was submit routine memorials in opposition.

Unfortunately, it was of no use. Under such circumstances, they could only watch helplessly as Zhu Youxiao prepared to depart.

Because the preparations for the southern journey had never stopped—it could be said they were proceeding at a feverish pace.

After another two days, the court issued the imperial edict.

For this southern journey, Xu Guangqi would accompany him.

On the staff office side, there were Sun Chengzong and Yuan Keli.

As for Zhang Weixian and Han Kuang, they were merely to remain in the capital to assist in governance.

The eldest imperial son, Zhu Ciliao, was enfeoffed as Prince An, and was to oversee state affairs as regent while Zhu Youxiao was away from the capital.

Although His Highness Prince An was now merely six years old, such a heavy responsibility had already been pressed upon his shoulders.

Since the old man wanted to go out and play, he could only leave the boy behind. As for this regency of his, it was basically nominal—the ones actually making the decisions were Zhang Weixian, Han Kuang, and the others. But this nominal title was sometimes very important.

And so the matter was settled.

Zhu Youxiao stood before the palace, gazing into the distance, his heart filled with a welter of emotions.

Zhu Youxiao did not know what the situation would be like on this journey, nor did he know what events would actually unfold. This trip south to Jiangnan would probably not be so easy.

After all, among the things he had done at court, there were no shortage of people who opposed him, and even more who feared him—it was entirely possible that someone might take a desperate risk.

One had to remember that his son was still young. If he himself died, then the situation would become quite interesting.

Raising his head to look at the overcast, cloud-covered sky, Zhu Youxiao murmured to himself: "I just wonder whether you lot have the ability to do it."