Chapter 60: The Last Straw

From the rooms surrounding the main hall of the Ministry of War, heads popped out one after another, astonished to see a shabby Battalion Commander standing imposingly in the center of the hall, head raised as he loudly cursed toward the Second Hall. Cui Chengxiu's office was right there in the Second Hall.

"Cui Chengxiu, you are unworthy of being a heavy minister of the court! You have a younger brother serving as Regional Commander, yet why did you not decline the post of Minister of War? In over two hundred years of our dynasty, there has never been such a precedent—how dare you! And as a scholar-official, you acknowledge a eunuch as your foster father. The morale of the realm's officials declines daily, and the integrity of the scholarly class grows ever baser—it all began with you." Chen Xin threw together all the information he had gathered over the past few days, not caring whether it was entirely accurate, and simply let it all out in one torrent of abuse. The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger; everyone knew Cui Chengxiu could fall at any moment, and no one was willing to stick their neck out for him. Moreover, this man had suddenly appeared in the Ministry of War's main hall to start cursing—no one knew his background or who was behind him. What if the Emperor himself was backing him? Going to stop him would be a disaster. And so, though the onlookers were many, not a single person stepped forward to restrain Chen Xin. To curse in the Ministry of War's main hall without anyone stopping him—Chen Xin was probably the first.

"To supervise the construction of the Three Halls while in the inauspicious state of mourning was already improper. Now that the great work on the Three Halls is complete, you still cling to the post of Minister of War with the concurrent title of Left Chief Censor, effectively using the authority of a censorate official to suppress the speaking officials. As a result, of late the speaking officials have not inquired into the wicked and corrupt. Only Censor Yang Weiyuan, out of righteous duty, dared to speak plainly. Who could have guessed that the moment he submitted his memorial, he would be assassinated? Who did it—there is no need to say." Chen Xin clasped his hands and bowed to all around him. "I am Chen Xin, Battalion Commander of Weihai Guard. Yesterday, outside the Imperial Academy, in the alley by the Fang residence, I happened upon Yang Weiyuan being attacked. Out of righteous indignation, I drove off the assailants and was wounded in several places by those thugs."

Chen Xin pulled open his sleeve, revealing bloodstained cotton cloth. A wave of exclamations rippled through the crowd. Several people who were ordinarily dissatisfied with Cui Chengxiu began shouting, "Traitor!" "A scholar's honor utterly lost!" Others cheered him on: "So you are the Battalion Commander who saved Yang Weiyuan—a true hero!" Cui Chengxiu had been at the Ministry of War for barely over a month, not nearly enough time to place his own trusted men, and he had been impeached one after another, so his support was extremely low.

At that moment, footsteps sounded. The soldiers on guard at the entrance rushed into the main hall, shouting that they were going to seize Chen Xin. But by now, Chen Xin had already stirred the emotions of a portion of the crowd. Several civil officials blocked the soldiers, waving them away.

Seeing the soldiers enter, Chen Xin quickened his speech: "At that moment, I heard with my own ears one of the thugs interrogate Lord Yang Weiyuan, asking him who had put him up to impeaching the Minister of War, Lord Cui. Then he shouted to execute the traitor. Had I not arrived in time, Lord Yang Weiyuan would have perished on the spot. Such conduct not only suppresses the speaking officials—its vicious cruelty rivals even that of Ji Gang of old."

A man who looked like a Secretary spoke up loudly: "This Commander Chen, if they are so vicious and cruel, why do you still dare to curse here?"

"When tigers and wolves devour men, one must fight even with bare hands. When the whole court is silent, a man of the wilds speaks out, to champion the cause of loyal ministers and righteous men. Even in death, what regret is there!" Chen Xin plagiarized the words he had heard from Qian Jiazheng, turning them into his own declaration of loyalty.

"If I were a speaking official, I would submit a memorial of impeachment today. It is a pity that I am but a military man, with no right to submit memorials. I can only vent the fury in my heart here. Lord Yang Weiyuan was gravely wounded, his hands and feet broken. What kind of vicious and cruel person could commit such a vicious and cruel act? If such a man is allowed to sit among the Nine Ministers, what will become of the common people of the realm? All you honored superiors are men who have read the classics and histories thoroughly—how can you stand by and watch jackals block the path?"

Many in the crowd shouted loudly, "Well said!"

Chen Xin had said about enough. He did not even know whether Cui Chengxiu was in the Second Hall or not, but that did not matter. Chen Xin had no personal grudge against Cui Chengxiu. Those who would replace Cui Chengxiu and Wei Zhongxian were not necessarily more virtuous than the Eunuch Faction, and their governing ability was even more questionable. So Chen Xin actually bore no great hatred toward the Eunuch Faction; he merely wanted to profit from this purge. For him now, the greatest profit was to gain a good reputation, to make himself known to the Chongzhen Emperor, so that his future official career would go more smoothly.

Chen Xin clasped his hands in a bow to all four sides and was about to withdraw when something suddenly occurred to him. Facing the door of the Bureau of Military Appointments, he said loudly, "Secretary Qian, I take my leave."...

Qian Yuanque, who had been hiding inside and had not come out, slapped the wall in frustration. This damn Battalion Commander had said such a thing to him just before leaving—now others would think he had put the man up to this cursing. If Cui Chengxiu survived this, he would certainly be made to suffer for it later. Yet he dared not come out to defend himself either. If Cui Chengxiu could not hold on, defending himself now would mark him as one of Cui Chengxiu's faction. His face flushed red and then pale with rage.

Dragging Qian Yuanque into the water was not something Chen Xin had planned in advance; it was a spur-of-the-moment idea. Having done this, he did not linger. Head held high, he walked from the main hall toward the gate. The people gathered inside all subconsciously followed him out. The soldiers at the gate had received no orders and knew nothing of this man's background. Who had ever heard of a Battalion Commander daring to come to the Ministry of War to curse someone? Even a Regional Commander or Vice General, when before a mere Rank Six Secretary of the Ministry of War, could only obediently kneel and listen. This man must have some high official behind him, acting with such impunity, to dare come curse the Minister of War. Since none of the lords had said anything, a lowly soldier like himself certainly should not step forward.

And so, Chen Xin strode imposingly out the main gate of the Ministry of War, head held high. In truth, his heart was hanging by a thread. The Eunuch Faction still controlled the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot. If these soldiers seized him and sent him to the Northern Pacification Prison, before Cui Chengxiu and Wei Zhongxian ascended to immortality, he would ascend first. So he had also arranged for Zhu Guobin and Dai Zhenggang to meet him at the gate. These two had no clear idea what Chen Xin had actually done inside. Following Chen Xin's arrangements, both were disguised as pedestrians on either side of the street.

The moment the two saw Chen Xin emerge, they did not go up to speak to him. Chen Xin dared not head directly east toward Chongwen Gate; instead, he hurried west. Dai Zhenggang, carrying a bag, followed about twenty paces behind him. Zhu Guobin waited a while. The Squad Commander guarding the gate called over a soldier and muttered a few words. The soldier immediately followed Chen Xin at a quick pace. Two men who looked like clerks also followed. The rest of the Ministry of War personnel stood at the main gate, in no hurry to return, and began discussing the matter right there. Some busybodies had already headed toward other ministries, ready to spread the gossip.

After the trackers had passed, Zhu Guobin rose and followed behind them. When they reached a sparsely populated spot in Yangmao Alley, he easily dealt with these tails. Then he trailed the figure of Dai Zhenggang ahead of him all the way. Chen Xin stopped in a lane in Songshu Alley. After Dai Zhenggang and Zhu Guobin caught up, Chen Xin changed out of his Battalion Commander's uniform. From the bag Dai Zhenggang carried, he took out a plain robe, put on a square cap, transforming into a scholar, and took a folding fan in his hand. Leisurely, he made his way from Xuanwu Gate to the Outer City.

Just like Lu Lvzi and the others that day, after reaching the Outer City, Chen Xin and his two companions split up and walked separately. They wandered aimlessly through the commercial district outside Zhengyang Gate, and only after confirming they had no tails did they return to the inn where they were staying.

"Zhenggang, Guobin, pack your things. We're changing lodgings today," Chen Xin instructed the two the moment he entered the room. He himself picked up a teapot and gulped down its contents. Today, from the inn to Qipan Street, and then circling back from Xuanwu Gate, had been at least ten li of walking.

"Yes, I'll go pack right away." Zhu Guobin asked nothing, turned around, and went back to his own room.

Dai Zhenggang was somewhat puzzled: "Brother Chen, what did you do at the Ministry of War today? Is someone trying to arrest us?"

Chen Xin set down the teapot. "I went and cursed out the Minister of War. The Embroidered Uniform Guard might come to arrest me. Why else would I be so careful?"

"Ah, cursed the Minister..." Song Wenxian had just arrived at Chen Xin's door and, upon hearing this, both men froze.

Before they could finish freezing, Chen Xin's door banged. Zhu Guobin was already standing at the doorway with his bundle ready. Chen Xin had not expected him to be so fast and said in surprise, "Guobin, how are you so quick?"

"I only have one small bundle. I pack it every morning when I get up."

Chen Xin nodded approvingly and said to Dai Zhenggang, "Zhenggang, you go pack quickly too. We have to leave immediately. We'll still split up. Guobin brings up the rear. Hurry."

After Dai Zhenggang left, Song Wenxian shut the door and asked in a fluster, "Brother Chen, didn't you say this morning you were going to purchase a rank? Why did you end up quarreling with the Minister?"

Chen Xin had no time to explain to him and only said, "Cui Chengxiu hired thugs to kill someone, and I thwarted it, so I quarreled with him. The Embroidered Uniform Guard might come to arrest me. Brother Song, will you come with me and lie low for a while?"

Sweat was already beading on Song Wenxian's forehead. The Provincial Governor and the Coastal Defense Circuit Intendant he usually saw were already great officials, but when those great officials met the Minister of War and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they were like mice seeing a cat. Who would have thought this Chen Xin, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, would dare quarrel with him? Song Wenxian was filled with regret. If he had accompanied him today, it would never have come to this.

"You, ah, Brother Chen, such a shrewd man—how could you be so muddled at a time like this?"

Chen Xin picked up the small bundle he had packed by his bedside and said to Song Wenxian, "Mr. Song, let's lie low together for now. If I'm caught and taken to the Northern Pacification Prison, I'm afraid it won't just be cursing the Minister—other matters will probably all come out in the confession too."

Song Wenxian knew he was talking about the maritime trade. If he really confessed, he himself would not escape either. The Embroidered Uniform Guard would undoubtedly make a huge case out of it, and no amount of silver could ever satisfy those people. The moment Song Wenxian thought of all the legends about the imperial prison of the Northern Pacification Prison, a shiver ran through him.

"Let's go, let's go." Song Wenxian hurried back to his room and hastily packed his bundle. Chen Xin had Dai Zhenggang and the other man check out of their rooms first, then waited with Song Wenxian in the room for half a shichen, so the shopkeeper would not notice they were together. During that half shichen, Song Wenxian was on pins and needles, countless times peeking out the window to secretly observe the street, all the while incessantly grumbling about Chen Xin's recklessness.

"Brother Chen, this whole capital is the Embroidered Uniform Guard's territory. If we don't stay at an inn, where can we hide? Why don't we just leave the city now?"

Chen Xin had no real confidence in his heart either, but he put on an extremely calm front. Imitating that Secretary Qian, he narrowed his eyes and said unhurriedly, "Your brother has his own arrangements. But there's no rush to leave the city—my rank purchase isn't finished yet."

Song Wenxian was so angry he nearly jumped up: "Brother Chen, are you doing this on purpose? You've cursed the Minister of War, and you still want to be a Battalion Commander..."

Chen Xin smiled without speaking. Before leaving, he had deliberately dragged Secretary Qian into the water precisely to prevent this Secretary Qian from being in the same camp as the Eunuch Faction, so that his rank purchase could still proceed. But before the situation became clear in the next couple of days, Secretary Qian probably would not be getting any sleep.

He calculated the time in his mind. Heading toward Xuanwu Gate should mislead the Five Wards Military Command. In this era, there were no telephones. Just sending word to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and then having them investigate at the Ministry of War, would take at least half a day. They would not trace him for a while. But the matter of beating people the day before was not yet settled. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Warden's Office searched inns one by one, they would trace him here in a day or two. The Embroidered Uniform Guard's strength in the capital was still formidable. The tortures in the imperial prison—the branding pillar, the flesh-scraping, and such cruel punishments—were indeed terrifying. But they would not be gloating for many more days. Once Cui Chengxiu fell, the Eunuch Faction's power would be spent. He only needed to hide out these last few days, and afterward he would be safe.

After about half a shichen, Chen Xin took Song Wenxian to settle the room bill. At a teahouse, they picked up Zhu Guobin and Dai Zhenggang. They dared not go directly to Zhengdong Ward. Instead, they first walked south for a stretch, then headed west through the alleys, and finally circled back north to Zhengdong Ward, entering their hiding place.