Chapter 113: Take Him Down!

No matter how utterly loyal Shi Fenglai was, in Chongzhen's eyes, he still had his own selfish motives.

On the surface, was it really a good move to revive the Hundred Schools while the Northern and Southern Confucian sects were tearing each other apart?

By ordinary logic, it should be the correct move. After all, propping up Confucianism's rivals to suppress Confucianism itself—that is the imperial Dao of balance. The problem was, Chongzhen was a shut-in otaku who had transmigrated here; he had been on the internet, he had read web novels!

So from the perspective of a Chongzhen Emperor who had read the god-tier book I Want to Be Emperor several times in pirated form, propping up the Hundred Schools was just making trouble for himself.

The moment these Confucian fellows saw him trying to prop up the Hundred Schools, what a Confucianism that had reigned supreme for a thousand years would do—you could figure it out with your backside: first, set aside the internal strife, and turn their guns outward together.

But what if he did not prop up the Hundred Schools, and instead propped up the various factions and cliques within Confucianism itself?

To fight over the power of discourse and students, the various factions within Confucianism would beat each other's brains out. Just like the boss of Causeway Bay—there is only one spot, and everyone wants to sit in it.

So what do you do? Sitting down to talk it out is obviously unrealistic, so some people will go seek help from the big boss of the Hung Hing Society.

And others? They will simply find outside help, even if it means selling off some interests to the Tung Sing Society, no problem.

By analogy, if the Chongzhen Emperor propped up a few Confucian factions, then Confucianism's internal factions would absolutely beat each other's brains out.

But if Chongzhen tried to establish a separate Mohist school outside of Confucianism, that would be like Chiang Tin-sang trying to set up some Blue Hing or Black Hing outside the Hung Hing system, and on top of that, wanting to swallow Tung Sing's turf—the Confucian Hung Hing system would absolutely set aside its differences for the moment, unite against the outsider, and hack this Blue Hing or Black Hing Mohist school to death first.

Of course, that was merely an analogy. But for the Chongzhen Emperor, it was all more or less the same: a Confucianism riven with factions was far more in line with his own interests than a Confucianism gathered under the banner of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, as solid as a single iron plate.

Just as Chongzhen was sharpening his blade and turning toward Confucianism, far away in Ningyuan, Yuan Chonghuan had also arrived at Dongjiang with a few trusted aides.

Only, what Yuan Chonghuan had not expected was that the current Minister of the Ministry of War, Cui Chengxiu, was also here, and incidentally, the Lady Wanfei, who had not yet formally entered the palace, was here as well.

Faced with Cui Chengxiu's interrogation about his unauthorized entry into Dongjiang without an imperial edict, Yuan Chonghuan felt rather like he was sitting on a wax block. His mind racing, a full ten thousand mythical beasts stampeded through Yuan Chonghuan's heart.

But the good thing was, under pressure, he managed to come up with an excuse: "This humble officer came to Dongjiang because I received a secret report from a scout, saying that the Jianzhou barbarian chieftain Hong Taiji intends to invade Dongjiang and Joseon.

In my urgency, I brought men to Dongjiang first to take a look, to see if I, Yuan, could be of any help."

Cui Chengxiu, however, chuckled and said, "Lord Yuan, what eloquence. Worthy of a jinshi background, a prized disciple of Master Sun, and one held in high regard by Lord Hou. However, since you have already come to Dongjiang, do not think of leaving!"

Yuan Chonghuan knew in his heart that something was wrong, but not knowing where the problem lay, he could only force himself to remain calm and ask, "This humble officer does not understand what Your Excellency the Minister means by those words?"

Cui Chengxiu, however, was cursing inwardly: if it weren't for you, you bastard, would I, with the esteemed status of Minister of the Ministry of War, have had to run to Liaodong to find a woman for the Emperor?

And nearly got chopped to death by that bastard Zhu Gang of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—isn't all of this thanks to you?

Thinking this, Cui Chengxiu's expression grew increasingly hostile, and he sneered: "Lord Yuan, you, without an imperial edict, left your post without authorization, abandoned that whole mess at Ningyuan and Jinzhou, and ran over here to Grand General Mao's place at Dongjiang.

Truly loyal in service to the state, are you?"

Without waiting for Yuan Chonghuan to come up with another excuse, Cui Chengxiu continued: "But it seems you, Lord Yuan, have forgotten one thing?"

At this moment, he was the fish on the chopping block, so Yuan Chonghuan could only ask cautiously: "I do not know to what matter Your Excellency the Minister refers?"

Cui Chengxiu said: "You, Lord Yuan, have forgotten about the Embroidered Uniform Guard—your affairs were exposed long ago."

Yuan Chonghuan was anxious inside, but his expression did not change in the slightest. He pressed on: "What matter exactly is Your Excellency the Minister speaking of?

I, Yuan, am nearly confused to death by Your Excellency. If I have done something wrong, Your Excellency may point it out, and I will certainly correct it?"

Cui Chengxiu now felt that this Yuan Chonghuan was truly a talent; even brought to such a pass, he could still spout nonsense without changing his expression—truly thick-skinned. Of course, Cui Chengxiu had no thought of cherishing talent and letting Yuan Chonghuan go.

If he did that, once he returned, wouldn't the Son of Heaven judge him, Cui Chengxiu, and Yuan Chonghuan as co-conspirators and have them both sliced to death?

Operating on the principle of "I won't go to hell, but you can go to hell just fine," Cui Chengxiu spoke: "It's nothing much, just that the letter that dog of a Jianzhou barbarian Hong Taiji sent you is now sitting, exactly as it was, on the Son of Heaven's desk.

Lord Yuan, do you still want to play dumb?"

At last, a trace of change appeared on Yuan Chonghuan's face. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he gave a bitter smile: "Your Excellency the Minister wrongs this humble officer.

This must surely be a stratagem of estrangement by the Jianzhou barbarians. It was out of concern for the war situation in Liaodong that I came to Liaodong; how could I have intended any harm to Grand General Mao?"

Cui Chengxiu, however, laughed and said: "Indeed, you came to Liaodong out of concern for the war situation—this official accepts that. But, did this official ever mention the contents of that letter?

Did I ever say you intended harm to Grand General Mao? Supreme Commander Yuan, this is truly a single oversight in an otherwise flawless plan!"

Having said this, paying no heed to Yuan Chonghuan, whose face was now drastically changing, Cui Chengxiu turned his head to Zhu Gang, who had long been standing to the side, drinking tea out of sheer boredom, and said: "Shall we arrest Lord Yuan, then?"

Zhu Gang was about to make his move, but Yuan Chonghuan said: "Hold!"

Cui Chengxiu and Zhu Gang looked at Yuan Chonghuan curiously. Cui Chengxiu asked: "What further words does the Grand Supreme Commander Yuan have to say?"

Yuan Chonghuan said: "Your Excellency the Minister, can your conscience bear framing me, Yuan, in this way? I, Yuan, can submit to arrest today, but I do not know to whom Ningyuan and Jinzhou should be entrusted?

If the situation in Liaodong deteriorates, can you, Lord Cui, bear that responsibility? Furthermore, I, Yuan, will naturally submit a memorial to defend myself in the coming days.

When that time comes, does Lord Cui the Minister not fear that I, Yuan, will go before the Son of Heaven and sue you, Lord Cui, for acting recklessly and causing the situation in Liaodong to deteriorate?"

Hearing this, Cui Chengxiu was greatly disappointed. He had originally thought this Yuan Chonghuan could say something earth-shattering, but he had not expected that even at a time like this, he would dare threaten him—truly unable to read the situation.

As the saying goes, to kill a man, kill his heart. So Cui Chengxiu smiled faintly and said: "The Great Ming has thousands upon thousands of talents, and those who surpass you, Supreme Commander Yuan, a hundredfold are not few in number.

Let me have you, Supreme Commander Yuan, meet one person, and you will naturally know that the situation in Liaodong will not deteriorate."

Yuan Chonghuan, however, asked curiously: "I wonder who that person is?"

Before Cui Chengxiu could answer, a rather familiar voice came from outside the door: "With this old man here, could the situation in Liaodong possibly deteriorate?"

(End of chapter)