Chapter 77: Zhu Youxiao Wants to Go into Seclusion with Han Li

Wei Zhongxian left, carrying his excitement with him.

In Wei Zhongxian's eyes, this was his opportunity.

To consolidate his power and influence, to take revenge on those who had impeached him — from today onward, who would still dare to look down on him? Ever since the day he had castrated himself and entered the palace, he had been waiting for this day.

Power and wealth — in this life, those were the only two things left to him.

Now, at this very moment, these two things were within easy reach. Naturally, he would not let this opportunity slip by!

Watching Wei Zhongxian's retreating figure, Zhu Youxiao's face was as calm as still water.

He knew that this move of his would inevitably provoke countless people to resist him, even to loathe him.

In a word, he was walking further and further down the path of the fatuous ruler. But none of them knew what he was really thinking.

As a man from a later age, Zhu Youxiao knew very well inside that the Donglin Faction had to be eradicated.

Though there might be loyal and upright people among the Donglin Faction, and capable people too, when an avalanche comes, no single snowflake is innocent.

Glancing at Chen Hong standing not far away, Zhu Youxiao instructed: "Announce to the outside that I am going into seclusion with Daoist Han Li of the Qingyun Sect for forty-nine days, to cultivate my health."

Hearing these words, Chen Hong understood at once — His Majesty was going into hiding again!

But he also realized that His Majesty could not act personally; the one making the move would inevitably be Wei Zhongxian.

Chen Hong hastily bowed and said: "Is there anything this servant needs to prepare?"

Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, then said with a smile: "Prepare a quiet chamber!"

In truth, Zhu Youxiao did not want to hide, nor did he have to. It was just that Zhu Youxiao could not be bothered to deal with these people — he had no interest whatsoever in managing such matters.

If he had the time, he would rather go browse the Hundred Crafts Workshop. Since the Hundred Crafts Workshop had been established, he had never once visited it.

That was where the future of the Great Ming lay.

The troops trained by Xu Guangqi and Qi Jin — those were the future of the Great Ming.

Everything else was irrelevant; he could simply not care about it at all.

The news spread quickly — His Majesty had ordered Zou Yuanbiao stripped of office pending trial, and Yang Lian stripped of office pending trial.

For a time, the capital was fraught with tension, and countless officials were panic-stricken, especially those officials who came from the Donglin Faction.

Once they were designated as a criminal case of forming cliques for private gain, all of them would be finished.

Everyone was like ants on a hot pan, all trying to find a way to protect themselves.

But there was not much they could do — impeach Wei Zhongxian, and simultaneously launch a campaign of public opinion.

That was all.

At the same time, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were moving very quickly.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had already sent men to arrest Fang Congzhe.

Once Fang Congzhe opened his mouth, the Donglin Faction would have no place left to bury their dead.

Using the late emperor's death as a threat, and privately releasing Fang Congzhe — this was a grave crime. Once implicated, no one could extricate themselves.

Under such circumstances, who would not be afraid?

Over at the Eastern Depot, the interrogation had already begun. Wei Zhongxian was personally presiding over this trial, and naturally he would conduct a great and thorough interrogation.

The first one brought up was Yao Zongwen.

Toward Yao Zongwen, Wei Zhongxian harbored a hatred that cut to the bone — he wished he could beat him to death right there in the Eastern Depot's dungeon.

But that would not do!

Wei Zhongxian needed Yao Zongwen's confession.

Yao Zongwen had recanted his testimony at the Court of Judicial Review, nearly capsizing Wei Zhongxian's boat in the gutter. If the task had been botched, he would probably have been finished outright.

Now that Yao Zongwen had fallen into his hands, Wei Zhongxian naturally would not let him off easily. Though he could not kill him, making him suffer a bit was still permissible.

Seated in the Eastern Depot's cell, Wei Zhongxian held a teacup and took a light sip, eyeing Yao Zongwen with amusement.

"Yao Zongwen, you never expected this, did you! You actually ended up in this old eunuch's hands after all. Today I'll let you know that this old eunuch is not so easy to bully." Saying this, Wei Zhongxian turned his head to look at Sun Yunhe, who was waiting at the side. He directly ordered: "Sun Yunhe, apply the torture! Our Lord Yao confessed at the Eastern Depot, then recanted at the Court of Judicial Review — this old eunuch doesn't even know when he tells the truth."

"This time, if you still can't get the truth out of him, then you don't need to hold your post anymore. This old eunuch can have someone send you to Liaodong."

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's words, Sun Yunhe also hardened his resolve inwardly.

He now hated Yao Zongwen to the utmost as well. If not for Yao Zongwen's betrayal, how could he have fallen to such a state? He was Lord Wei's trusted confidant.

But now, all because of you, Yao Zongwen, Lord Wei had begun to question Old Sun's competence — how could that be allowed? This was something Sun Yunhe absolutely could not accept.

Liaodong — what kind of godforsaken place was that? Whoever wanted to go could go; this old man was definitely not going!

Thinking of this, Sun Yunhe hastily bowed and said: "Rest assured, Lord Wei. This subordinate will certainly not disappoint you."

Wei Zhongxian nodded noncommittally, then lightly waved his hand, signaling that Sun Yunhe could begin.

"Someone, bring a bucket of salt water." Sun Yunhe said as he reached out and picked up the leather whip lying not far away — clearly intending to give Yao Zongwen a taste of saltwater-soaked whip.

Swinging the leather whip in his hand, Sun Yunhe approached Yao Zongwen with a smile that did not reach his eyes, and said with a cold laugh: "Lord Yao, you and I are old friends after all. Tell me, why put yourself through this? Don't blame Old Sun — let's start with a little appetizer; the main course comes later. Old Sun hasn't cracked a whip in years, and this time I'll let you have a try. Consider it a token of our acquaintance."

At this moment, Yao Zongwen was bound to a pillar, his expression extremely grim.

Ever since entering the Eastern Depot, Yao Zongwen had known that this time, he was in for a rough ride — more bad than good!

Lifting his head to glance at Sun Yunhe, Yao Zongwen made up his mind. This time, no matter what, he would not open his mouth.

Opening his mouth meant death; not opening his mouth also meant death.

If he spoke, he would inevitably be reviled for ten thousand years, and the Donglin Faction would not sympathize with him either. He might as well not speak — even if he died, he could preserve a clean reputation.

Thinking of this, Yao Zongwen gritted his teeth, steeled his heart, and directly declared in a loud voice: "Sun Yunhe, you lackey of a gelded dog! If you've got the guts, come on!"

"I, Yao, have read the books of the sages — how could I fear the lackeys of gelded dogs like you? Even if you beat me to death, I will absolutely never confess!"

Hearing this, Sun Yunhe flew into an uncontrollable rage.

You, Yao Zongwen, are something else — even at a time like this, you still dare to put on airs?

Sun Yunhe sneered and said: "Then today, Old Sun will see just how hard your bones really are!"

With that, the leather whip in his hand lashed fiercely toward Yao Zongwen.

With a crack, the leather whip lashed directly onto Yao Zongwen's body, and the thin garment on him split apart at the sound.

In an instant, a bloody welt appeared on Yao Zongwen's body. His frame trembled violently, and a muffled sob escaped him.

Sun Yunhe did not stop—he swung the whip again with a backhand.

The crack of the whip echoed with unusual clarity through the prison cell, accompanied by a few barely audible sobs.

After a long while, Sun Yunhe set down the whip, panting heavily.

As for Yao Zongwen, he had long since passed out.

Wei Zhongxian glanced at Yao Zongwen and said with a smile, "After a trip to the Court of Judicial Review, you've indeed toughened up considerably. Last time, before the visit, it only took a dozen lashes before he confessed. No matter—we have plenty of time. We'll take our time. Forget the whip; let's go straight to the heavy tortures. I'd like to see just how long he can hold out!"