Chapter 44: A Mighty

"... Where does the crime come from?"

On the throne, Zhu Youjian spoke indifferently.

Wang Tiqian lay prostrate on the icy-cold gold bricks, his head buried deep, his voice instantly choked with tears:

"This slave was deceived by the traitor Wei in the past, and actually colluded with that eunuch villain in evil, was greedy and lawless, causing state affairs to deteriorate, betraying the imperial grace above and failing the people below."

"Fortunately, Your Majesty's heavenly might set things right, which finally brought this slave to his senses."

"This slave is willing to hand over all fifty thousand taels of silver gained from past corruption to aid state affairs, and hopes Your Majesty will permit this slave to beg for his old bones back."

This sudden self-accusation made the atmosphere in the hall turn strange.

Tian Ergeng stood to the side, feeling only a deep chill.

If you do this, then where does that leave me? How am I supposed to handle myself?

Why couldn't you have tipped me off in advance?!

His palms were instantly soaked with cold sweat.

Gao Shiming, standing to one side, slightly raised his eyelids, glanced at Wang Tiqian, and silently lowered them again.

Xu Yingyuan, however, was dumbstruck, at a loss for a moment.

But Tian Ergeng's reaction was quick enough.

Gritting his teeth, he suddenly threw himself to his knees as well, slamming down with a dull thud.

"Your Majesty! This subject too is guilty!"

Though he could not choke up in an instant, his voice was far louder than Wang Tiqian's.

"This subject was likewise beguiled by the traitor Wei in the past, failed to distinguish right from wrong, aided the tyrant in his oppression, and sullied the name of the Embroidered Uniform Guard as the Son of Heaven's own army!"

"This subject has betrayed Your Majesty's trust, and his crimes are beyond death! This subject is willing to hand over seventy thousand taels of silver embezzled over the years, and earnestly begs Your Majesty to pronounce punishment!"

With that, he knocked his head solidly against the floor.

Well now!

Zhu Youjian sat upright behind the imperial desk, his face noncommittal, but inside he was already blooming with delight.

They can even out-compete each other like this?

One fifty thousand, the other seventy thousand — truly, conscience is priceless, but loyalty has a price.

If even these two can compete against each other, then can all those eunuch faction members at court who've been temporarily let off the hook also be made to compete like this?

My demands aren't many — just enough to cover half the back pay owed on the Nine Frontiers would be enough.

These thoughts flashed through Zhu Youjian's mind in an instant.

But he revealed not a trace on his face.

He rose from behind the imperial desk, laughing heartily as he walked around it and personally descended the steps.

"My two ministers, what is this? Quickly, rise!"

His voice was warm yet full of strength. He personally stepped forward, one hand each, and helped Wang Tiqian and Tian Ergeng up from the floor.

Wang Tiqian and Tian Ergeng rose with the gesture, their faces still bearing fear and gratitude, but the great stone in their hearts had already settled.

Zhu Youjian declared in a clear voice: "Three days ago at the court assembly, I told the civil officials that I am willing, together with them, to set aside all past matters and open this new road."

"Yet these words — are they not also meant for you?"

"That my two ministers could take such action today truly shows your trust in me."

Zhu Youjian released his hold on the two men, gave a light clap of his hands, and laughed:

"Since we are now of one heart, there are some things I can speak of openly."

He paused, and his gaze sharpened.

"The Eastern Depot is my eyes."

"Without the Eastern Depot, I am a blind man, trapped within the deep palace. Whatever others say, I must listen to."

"And the Embroidered Uniform Guard is my arm."

"Without an arm, I am a cripple. I can only sit idly upon this dragon throne — even with ten thousand ideas, I could not put them into action."

Zhu Youjian's gaze first fell upon Wang Tiqian.

"Wang Tiqian, since you are the Director of the Eastern Depot, you must be these eyes for me, and be them well."

"I want you to lead the Eastern Depot and keep a firm watch on the officials at court and in the provinces."

"Who forms a faction with whom, who shares a clique with whom — I want to know it all with perfect clarity."

He paused, then continued.

"And as for corruption — though some intimidation was applied at court the day before yesterday, it is ultimately hard to achieve lasting effect."

"Record each official's corrupt acts separately, compile them into dossiers, and keep them for later use."

He spoke in a commanding tone that brooked no doubt.

"Report once every five days ordinarily; if there is a major matter, report immediately! Understood?"

Wang Tiqian immediately bowed and answered decisively: "This slave understands! Your Majesty, be assured — even if this slave must stake his life, he will certainly keep good watch over all these civil and military officials for Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, then turned to Tian Ergeng.

"Tian Ergeng."

"At present, who is responsible for reconnaissance against the Later Jin and the various Mongol tribes? Does the Embroidered Uniform Guard have any involvement?"

Tian Ergeng was taken aback by the question. He hastily gathered his thoughts and replied respectfully:

"In reply to Your Majesty, the matter of intelligence on the Nine Frontiers is rather complicated."

"If men are sent into enemy territory to spy, it is generally handled by the local commanders themselves, mostly using Night Scouts or household retainers, and occasionally recruiting defectors or agents."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard also occasionally dispatches Banner Officers to investigate, but generally they focus on inspecting the Nine Frontiers."

Zhu Youjian raised an eyebrow, already sensing something amiss, but he pressed on with his questions.

"And what of counter-espionage? When I was at the Prince Xin Residence, I often heard that the barbarian chieftain is adept at using spies."

Tian Ergeng replied.

"The barbarian chieftain's spy network is headed by the former turncoat general Li Yongfang. They are most skilled at scattering gold and silver to lure in the lawless."

"In the localities, the various garrisons, and the passes, counter-espionage is generally the responsibility of the local commanding officer."

"Here in the capital, the Western Registry of the Embroidered Uniform Guard takes the lead, with the Five Wards Troops and Horses Office and the capital patrol battalions in support."

Zhu Youjian listened in silence, his brow furrowing unconsciously.

He did not speak for a moment, and the hall sank once more into silence.

Watching the Emperor's brooding expression, Tian Ergeng could not help feeling uneasy, wondering which of his words had been wrong.

What he did not know was that Zhu Youjian's heart was at that moment filled with nothing but disappointment.

What kind of intelligence system was this?

A complete mess, utterly fragmented! Overlapping authority, multiple chains of command — how could this possibly be efficient?

Any random palace-intrigue novel from a later era would have a tighter intelligence network than this.

No wonder the Great Ming was always so slow to react to the Later Jin's movements in its later years. The root of it is right here.

The mighty Great Ming, outdone in espionage by barbarians rising from the white mountains and black waters!

Is this because you people haven't read Romance of the Three Kingdoms as thoroughly as Nurhaci did?

Never mind. Now is not the time for a sweeping overhaul. I'll make do with the cards in hand first.

At that thought, he suppressed his feelings, nodded, and spoke as if it had been merely a casual question.

"In that case, dispatch capable banner officers at once. Have them make a tour of the Nine Frontiers on my behalf."

"The state of the hereditary military households, the military farmland, the corruption, the missing rolls — investigate everything and report back."

He paused, then looked at Tian Ergeng seriously.

"I am aware that whenever the Embroidered Guard riders go out on assignment from the capital, there are always lawless men in the localities who pay to attach themselves to the mission."

"Once they reach their destination, they act like foxes borrowing a tiger's might, preying on the common people in pursuit of wealth."

"In the end, the money goes into their pockets, but the infamy falls entirely upon me."

Tian Ergeng's lips quivered at these words, but he could find no reply.

This Prince Xin... no, His Majesty.

Raised deep within the palace, confined to a prince's residence — yet he even knows of such things!

Zhu Youjian watched his nervous expression, stepped forward, and patted him lightly on the shoulder, his tone softening.

"Past matters I am willing to let bygones be bygones. But from this day forward, do not disappoint me."

That pat, that pull, that strike — Tian Ergeng felt a surge of mingled emotions.

But there was no time to dwell on it now. He immediately bowed and acknowledged the order.

"This subject shall reverently obey Your Majesty's sacred instructions! I will not fail the trust Your Majesty has placed in me!"

With the tasks assigned, Zhu Youjian waved his hand, dismissing Wang Tiqian, Tian Ergeng, and Gao Shiming.

At some unknown point, the pattering autumn rain outside the window had finally ceased.

The sky was washed perfectly clean, a last ray of the setting sun hanging on the western horizon.

Zhu Youjian walked to the window and gazed blankly at the rainwater still clinging to the eaves, dripping drop by drop onto the white marble steps below, each splash sending up a tiny spray.

He watched for a while, and a smile gradually spread across his face.

Zhu Youjian turned his head and spoke to Gao Shiming.

"Issue my decree: the capital has been hit by sudden rain, leaving the roads a quagmire. Out of consideration for the hardships of my officials, court is suspended tomorrow."

He paused, then continued.

"Only summon the four Grand Secretaries and the heads of the various ministries to Wuying Hall for a council. That will suffice."