Chapter 58: A Small Ripple

In the days that followed, Chen Xin continued sending everyone out to gather news. He himself went back to the purchased courtyard once more, carefully observing the surroundings. It was exactly as Qin Lufang had said — there were alleys both in front and behind, and most of the residents in those alleys were outsiders, many doing business near Chongwen Gate, with the majority from Zhejiang (Note 1). According to Qin Lufang, neighborly relations were rather distant, with little interaction between households. Outside, Chongwenmen Outer Street was thick with foot traffic. Chen Xin was thoroughly satisfied with the courtyard's surroundings. He circled the area twice and memorized the roads.

The rest of the time, he took Lu Lvzi to wander around the Censorate and the Ministry of War, and also looked at some shops near Chongwen Gate. Hai Gouzi and Zhang Dahui stayed near Qipan Street gathering information. Song Wenxian, after waiting several days, had grown impatient and was pressing Chen Xin to hurry up and handle the rank-purchasing matter.

This continued until the fifteenth day of the tenth month. Chen Xin was still at the inn and had not yet gone out when Zhang Dahui came running back in a rush and said to him, "Chen, Brother Chen, yesterday a man named Yang Weiyuan submitted a memorial impeaching Cui Chengxiu."

"Where did you get this news?"

"The twenty taels of silver you gave me — I gave it all to a young eunuch who came out of the palace to buy supplies. I heard it from him."

Chen Xin mused, "Is what he said reliable? What post does he hold in the palace?"

Zhang Dahui said, "It should be reliable. I only just got to know him yesterday. He was originally a head cook under Wang Tigan. Before, several grand eunuchs took turns providing meals for the Tianqi Emperor. Now that this new emperor has entered the palace, it's been changed to the Shangshan Catering Bureau providing the meals. No one quite understands what the new emperor wants to do. He said everyone is terrified of backing the wrong person and spends all day sounding out the situation, so it's not hard to come by any news."

Chen Xin praised him, "You handled this well. Did you get clear details on the content of the impeachment?"

Zhang Dahui said awkwardly, "That I didn't. He wasn't clear on it either, only knew that it happened, and that Yang Weiyuan is a censor."

Chen Xin very much wanted to say "Keep probing," and have his man rush out again. But he knew that was impossible — with their current resources, it was very difficult to know the exact contents of those memorials. But as long as it was an impeachment, that was good enough.

"Under what pretext did you ask? Did he become suspicious?"

Zhang Dahui gave a sly grin. "I said I also wanted to enter the palace to become a eunuch, and asked him to help me find out which master would be better to follow. Then I slowly steered the conversation toward Cui Chengxiu."

Chen Xin laughed too. "You'd do well in the palace. Plenty of pale chests in there — you could touch them all you want."

Having said this, he thought for a moment, then said to Zhang Dahui, "We won't wait any longer. Whatever he impeached him for, we'll make our move on him. Go to the area near the Censorate first, tail this Yang Weiyuan, find his home, and then come notify me immediately."

"Understood."

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On the afternoon of the seventeenth day of the tenth month, in Fangjia Alley north of the inner city, two sedan-chair bearers carried a small sedan slowly along. A steward walked beside the sedan. Inside, Investigating Censor of the Yunnan Circuit Yang Weiyuan wore a deeply brooding expression. On the fourteenth, he had impeached Cui Chengxiu (Note 2) and been rebuked by the Emperor. As one of Wei Zhongxian's enforcers, he understood very well the delicacy of the current situation. If Cui Chengxiu remained in the position of Minister of War, the Emperor would never truly feel at ease about Wei Zhongxian. So when Wei Zhongxian told him to impeach Cui Chengxiu, he understood Wei Zhongxian's intent.

The Emperor had rejected his memorial — perhaps to set the mind of the Factory Director at ease, or perhaps suspecting it was merely a probe by the Factory Director. Now the Factory Director had already decided to sacrifice Cui Chengxiu and had informed him to submit yet another memorial, making Cui Chengxiu bear all the blame.

He rubbed his forehead. In the month or so since Chongzhen had ascended the throne, only Yang Suoxiu had submitted a single memorial — a toothless impeachment of Cui Chengxiu for failing to observe mourning rites. The most important item in Yang Weiyuan's memorial of the fourteenth was the impeachment of Cui Chengxiu for appointing himself Minister of War while his younger brother served as Regional Commander of Zhejiang — this touched on sensitive matters and was already known throughout the court. Quite a few people admired him for it, and he had earned a great deal of reputation.

Today, a second memorial impeaching Cui Chengxiu had been submitted. Yang Weiyuan was quite happy to do this. No matter which side won, this matter would benefit him. Thinking of this, a treacherous smile crept across his face. "This head of mine — secure and steady," Yang Weiyuan sighed contentedly to himself.

"Kill!" A sudden explosive shout.

Yang Weiyuan jolted. Outside the sedan, the steward let out a miserable cry, followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground. Just as Yang Weiyuan, panicked, was about to lift the sedan curtain, the two bearers also cried out in agony. The sedan crashed to the ground with a thud.

Yang Weiyuan's head struck a wooden beam. Outside came a flurry of startled cries from passersby on the street. Dizzy and dazed, Yang Weiyuan crawled out of the sedan. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the front bearer groaning on the ground, and all around him the fleeing backs of pedestrians.

"Kill!" A lean, wiry figure darted out from the side, swinging a carrying pole that whooshed down and smashed onto Yang Weiyuan's hand as it gripped the sedan shaft. Crack — Yang Weiyuan's finger bones snapped. He screamed in agony, then suddenly, from who knew where, found a burst of strength, leapt up violently, and ran toward his front gate.

He had barely run a dozen steps when footsteps sounded behind him. Another carrying pole struck him across the back. Yang Weiyuan lost his footing and tumbled to the ground. He turned over, staring in terror at the three men closing in on him. All three had their faces covered with black cloth, revealing only their eyes. The two on the sides held carrying poles; the one in the middle gripped a gleaming short blade and advanced with murderous intent.

"Wh-what do you want? I am an appointed official of the court, I am of the Censorate... Aiya!"

Before Yang Weiyuan could finish, one of the pole-wielders struck him again on the leg, instantly breaking the bone. The pain was so great Yang Weiyuan could no longer speak clearly. "Don't — sirs, please don't kill, kill me."

The knife-wielder in the middle crouched down, looked at him, and said, "If you don't want to die, answer honestly. Who put you up to impeaching Lord Cui a few days ago?"

"No, no, I didn't impeach... ah..."

The knife-wielder kicked him on his broken leg. Yang Weiyuan wept from the pain.

"I'll talk — it was the Factory, the Factory Director..."

The knife-wielder gave a cold, sneering laugh. "The Factory Director — who are you trying to fool? Lord Cui is the Factory Director's adopted son. Would the Factory Director cut off his own arm? Nothing but lies."

One of the pole-wielders glanced at the scattered crowd around them and warned, "Big Brother, finish him quickly. If we take too long, the Wardens' Office people will be here."

The knife-wielder gave a slight nod. As Yang Weiyuan watched in utter terror, he suddenly raised the sharp blade high and roared, "Traitor, meet your death..."

"Mama!!!" Yang Weiyuan shrieked and shut his eyes.

At the most critical moment, there was a bang. The knife-wielder let out a muffled grunt. His footsteps staggered back several paces — deng deng deng — and then he demanded, "Who are you!"

Snatched from the jaws of death, Yang Weiyuan cracked his eyes open a sliver. He saw a pair of black Tatar boots beside him. He raised his head and saw a man in the uniform of a Company Commander standing there imposingly.

He heard him say coolly, "In broad daylight, at the feet of the Son of Heaven — how dare petty villains like you commit murder."

The three men opposite exchanged glances, then with a great shout, charged forward.

Yang Weiyuan's heart leapt into his throat again, terrified that this Company Commander would be no match for them. He hurriedly shouted, "My lord, be careful!"

"Aiya!" "Ah!"

Who would have thought — with a casual swing of his fist, the Company Commander sent the lead knife-wielding assailant staggering back three steps. The Company Commander's figure swayed continuously, barely evading the two carrying poles, then he burst in close to the pole-wielding assailants. In close-quarters combat, every punch was ferocious, beating the three men into continuous retreat.

"A tiger of a warrior!" Yang Weiyuan exclaimed. The Company Commander did not pause for a moment, chasing the three and pummeling them fiercely. The three masked men scrambled and crawled away, abandoning their carrying poles and fleeing in utter disarray.

"My lord, quickly — capture one alive!" Seeing the situation turn favorable, Yang Weiyuan made a new demand.

"Very well." The Company Commander answered loudly and chased after the three. Yang Weiyuan, his leg broken, could not move from the spot. Only now did the steward and the two bearers slowly pick themselves up and come over to help Yang Weiyuan up.

"Get lost, you useless trash! Your master was nearly killed — do you even realize that? If that Company Commander hadn't happened to be here, your master would now be lying dead in a pool of blood five paces away. Get lost, get lost!" Yang Weiyuan cursed them furiously. The steward could only mumble obsequiously, not daring to defend himself, nor daring to come over and help him up.

Just as Yang Weiyuan finished his cursing, the Company Commander returned, a slash wound on his hand that had stained a section of his sleeve red. Only now did Yang Weiyuan manage to suppress the pain and carefully study the Company Commander. He saw a tall, broad-shouldered man with bright eyes and handsome brows, wearing the uniform of a Company Commander, quite imposing in bearing.

The Company Commander came before Yang Weiyuan and said, "My lord, those assailants had accomplices waiting to receive them. I was unable to capture a single one. I beg your lordship's forgiveness."

Seeing that he was wounded, how could Yang Weiyuan have the nerve to blame him? He hurriedly said, "My lord, I thank you for saving my life. That you were injured on my account — what forgiveness is there to speak of? I have yet to ask your honored name."

Chen Xin put on the manner of a simple military man and cupped his fist brashly. "I am Chen Xin, Company Commander of the Left Battalion of Weihai Guard. I have come to the capital to purchase a promotion in rank."

Hearing this, Yang Weiyuan realized the man was from Shandong. Though he did not think much of military men, the man had just saved his life, after all, and he was grateful. He immediately invited him: "I am Yang Weiyuan, Investigating Censor of the Yunnan Circuit of the Censorate. My humble home is not far from here. Would Company Commander Chen be willing to accompany me there, so that I may also summon a physician to treat Company Commander Chen's wound?"

Chen Xin glanced at his leg, then still in that brash manner said, "A flesh wound — as a military man, I'm not afraid of such things. But I worry those villains might return. I shall escort your lordship home first."

Yang Weiyuan could not have asked for more. Lying there in the middle of the street, the pain in his broken hand and foot was unbearable. His steward and bearers were unreliable, and he was also afraid the assailants had other accomplices. He agreed at once. Chen Xin and the steward together helped Yang Weiyuan up and carefully placed him into the sedan.

The sedan swayed and jolted all the way, with Lord Yang inside groaning and whimpering, until they arrived at Yang Weiyuan's residence. It must be said, a censor's salary was not high, but the residence was still quite fine — the main gate alone looked very impressive.

The steward had been shouting from a distance. Two gatekeepers ran out, saw the situation, and immediately one of them went back inside to call for help. Soon two or three more servants came out, and together they all carried Yang Weiyuan inside.

Chen Xin hung back. Seeing the steward rushing off to fetch a physician, he grabbed the steward and said to him, "Go quickly to the North City Wardens' Office and report this. Tell them someone tried to kill your master, and ask them to send men to protect him." The steward agreed repeatedly and left through the gate.

By the time Chen Xin caught up, Yang Weiyuan was loudly warning the servants not to touch his wounds.

"Gently — ah! I told you not to touch the leg, you idiot! Don't touch the fingers either... ah. Slower, slower."

Amidst Yang Weiyuan's cursing, they finally managed to lay him on the bed. Chen Xin had followed all the way in. The three-courtyard compound was very spacious — it could no longer be called a mere courtyard house; it was a mansion. In the garden of the third courtyard were rockeries, fish ponds, and an artful arrangement of flowering trees. It was clear Yang Weiyuan had made quite a bit on the side following the eunuch faction — otherwise, how could a censor's salary ever afford such a fine residence?

As soon as Yang Weiyuan was settled, several wives and concubines rushed in and gathered around him, wiping away tears.

"Get out! Can't you see there's a guest here? If not for Company Commander Chen, you'd be wailing at a funeral right now." The wives and concubines hurriedly turned to Chen Xin and thanked him.

After Yang Weiyuan lay down and caught his breath for a moment, he instructed the servants: "Quickly, bring a seat for Company Commander Chen. I owe him greatly today. Just now, Company Commander Chen said he came to register for promotion. This official still has some standing in the Ministry of War. If there is any difficulty, do not hesitate to tell me. Aiya..."

The pain in his leg was severe; every few sentences he had to groan again.

Chen Xin said: "My lord, rest easy and recover. How dare I trouble you with my trivial affairs?" He saw that the matter was about settled. Yang Weiyuan's role was just that — all he needed was to spread his own name....

Chen Xin then said to Yang Weiyuan: "Just now, my lord, you said you are Censor Yang Weiyuan of the Chief Surveillance Bureau?"

Yang Weiyuan nodded with difficulty. Chen Xin suddenly stood up in excitement and said loudly: "So you are Censor Yang Weiyuan, who impeached Cui Chengxiu! What great fortune for this junior to be able to serve you, my lord."

"Ah?" Yang Weiyuan looked at the excited Company Commander with some bewilderment.

"Lord Yang, undaunted by treacherous ministers, impeached Cui Chengxiu. Everyone in the capital says you are comparable to the Six Gentlemen of the Eastern Grove."

Yang Weiyuan sensed something wrong and hurriedly stopped Chen Xin: "Company Commander Chen, this matter is..."

Chen Xin declared resolutely: "Lord Yang, say no more. Today, it must be Cui Chengxiu, harboring a personal grudge, who hired men to secretly harm you. Though I am but a military man, I still understand the great righteousness of the world. I will certainly help you seek justice."

With that, he did not wait for Yang Weiyuan to speak, and strode out the door in a few steps.

Yang Weiyuan was stunned for a moment, but unfortunately could not stand up. He could only shout from his mouth: "Company Commander Chen, it is not like that! Do not be reckless!"

Chen Xin's voice drifted back from afar: "My lord, rest assured, wait for my news..."

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Note 1: During the Wanli reign, Yu Shenxing wrote "Gushan Bichen," recording the composition of the capital's residents: people from the four directions made up six or seven out of ten. Among those from the four directions, people from Kuaiji made up four or five out of ten. This shows that among the non-native residents in the capital at the time, people from Zhejiang accounted for the majority.