Chapter 99: Zou Yuanbiao and the Others Were Arrested

Wei Zhongxian's face twisted with disgust as he fanned the air before his nose, seemingly displeased by the smoke.

The people around him hurried to stand before Wei Zhongxian, trying to block the dust.

The young eunuch attending him handed Wei Zhongxian a clean white silk handkerchief.

Taking the handkerchief and covering his mouth and nose, Wei Zhongxian waved his hand directly and said in a low voice, "Go in and take them."

Sun Yunhe charged in at the lead, followed closely by the Eastern Depot's agents.

Wei Zhongxian also walked inside with an expressionless face.

Since he had come all this way, he naturally wanted to go in and take a look.

The courtyard was utterly silent—no one was there anymore, as if the servants had already been dismissed.

Going straight to the main hall, Wei Zhongxian spotted Zou Yuanbiao at a glance.

At this moment, Zou Yuanbiao wore a scholar's robe and sat there expressionless. Beside him was a pot of tea, which he occasionally raised to take a sip.

Seeing this, Wei Zhongxian's expression changed.

This fellow wouldn't poison himself, would he?

Zou Yuanbiao looked up at Wei Zhongxian's shifting expression, a hint of a mocking smile appearing on his face as he spoke softly, "Is Eunuch Wei afraid I'll die? Eunuch Wei can rest assured—I won't die so easily."

Hearing this, Wei Zhongxian's face immediately darkened.

How could he not know that he had been played by Zou Yuanbiao?

"At a time like this you still spout sharp words. I don't know whether Lord Zou is confident or simply a fool." Wei Zhongxian said directly, "Lord Zou, since you're ready, let's be on our way. No point wasting time here."

Zou Yuanbiao remained unmoved, watching the Eastern Depot agents rummage about with an expressionless face, and said with a smile, "Eunuch Wei should tell your men to stop searching recklessly. You won't find anything. Better to think up some charges—that would be more effective."

This was mockery aimed at him. Wei Zhongxian naturally understood.

"Lord Zou, I must say you're still as insufferable as ever." Wei Zhongxian waved his hand and said to Sun Yunhe behind him, "Take him."

Zou Yuanbiao offered no resistance at all, letting the Eastern Depot men haul him up.

He merely looked at Wei Zhongxian and said with a smile, "I'm afraid Eunuch Wei didn't get to see what he wanted, did he? I know Eunuch Wei wanted to see me make a fool of myself, or perhaps wanted me to surrender to you. Since Eunuch Wei wants it so badly, how could I let you have your wish?"

Having said this, Zou Yuanbiao laughed heartily to the sky, as if he were delighted to have toyed with Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian watched Zou Yuanbiao being pressed down and led away, his expression somewhat ferocious.

Then he slowly composed himself, gave a cold snort, and said, "I wonder if you'll still be this hard-mouthed once you're in the Eastern Depot's dungeons." With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode out.

All four men had been arrested.

The news shook the entire capital and naturally spread quickly to the Forbidden City.

Zhu Youxiao stood at the entrance of the great hall, gazing into the distance with an expressionless face.

"Your Majesty, Lord Yu Maohang has arrived." Chen Hong came to stand behind Zhu Youxiao and said respectfully.

On the way back, Chen Hong had already learned that Wei Zhongxian had made his move!

In fact, he had long known Wei Zhongxian would act, but now that Wei Zhongxian had truly done so, Chen Hong still felt somewhat dazed.

Withdrawing his gaze, Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong, nodded slightly, and said, "Let him in." Then he turned and walked back into the palace.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong acknowledged, then turned to go find Yu Maohang.

Before long, Yu Maohang walked in together with Chen Hong.

Yu Maohang's heart was extremely anxious at this moment, but having served as an official for so many years, he also knew that since he was here, he should make the best of it.

Whatever the Emperor wanted with him, there was no way to evade it, so he might as well wait quietly.

"Your servant Yu Maohang pays respects to Your Majesty." Yu Maohang bowed in salute.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand lightly and said with a smile, "Enough, no need for ceremony!"

Once Yu Maohang had straightened up, Zhu Youxiao finally spoke: "I called you here today for no great matter. I merely wished to ask you about the Censorate."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Yu Maohang's face sank.

So it really was this matter after all?

He couldn't help but feel some bitterness in his heart—it seemed he couldn't escape this.

No matter what the Emperor said today or how he himself responded, once he left this place and the Emperor appointed him, the reputation of kicking a man when he was down would stick to him no matter what.

But in officialdom, such things were all too normal.

In the officialdom of the Great Ming, with so many official hats of all sizes, from first rank down to seventh, which hat wasn't fought over tooth and nail?

How many people from top to bottom were watching?

Such matters—never mind kicking a man when he was down, even framing and false accusation were commonplace.

This wasn't the first time Yu Maohang had experienced such things. In the past he hadn't cared much, but this time was different.

Because this time it involved the Donglin Faction. If they came to believe he had played some harmful role in this matter, then he would likely face their retaliation.

Alone and with little support, he feared he wouldn't come to a good end.

"Your servant does not know what Your Majesty wishes to ask about?" Though Yu Maohang was worried inside, he dared not show it on his face.

After all, he was facing the Emperor. If you showed displeasure, who exactly were you displeased with?

"I wish to know your views on the case of Xiong Tingbi." After saying this, Zhu Youxiao looked at Yu Maohang.

In truth, Zhu Youxiao had originally not planned to ask this question, because he didn't intend for Yu Maohang to be involved in these matters.

Zhu Youxiao's positioning of Yu Maohang was simple—he was to be the tax official he would use in the future.

These chaotic and troublesome affairs of the court—he had no intention of letting him participate.

But sometimes, when he didn't let him participate, the man insisted on participating on his own.

This time the matter had blown up so big. Zhu Youxiao didn't know Yu Maohang's stance, and was truly uneasy at heart, hence this question.

Whatever his thoughts were didn't matter to Zhu Youxiao.

If he was willing to stand on his side, that would naturally be best; if he wasn't willing to stand on his side, then he would first transfer him away and protect him.

Once the storm had passed, he would put him to use again. This was to prevent him from jumping out at this moment and leaving him with no way to handle it.

Of course, he would also need to suit His Majesty's own preferences.

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's question, Yu Maoheng's mouth turned bitter.

Sure enough, it was this troublesome matter—it seemed His Majesty wanted to know his stance.

On the road, he had imagined countless possibilities and thought about how he should answer similar questions from His Majesty. Now that His Majesty had truly asked, Yu Maoheng knew how to answer, because he had already prepared.

"To answer Your Majesty, regarding this matter, your minister is not clear." Yu Maoheng spoke: "From beginning to end, your minister did not participate in any of it. Whether it was impeaching Xiong Tingbi, accepting bribes, or interrogating this case, your minister took no part. Your minister is also unfamiliar with the detailed proceedings of the case. Therefore, your minister holds no particular stance."