Chapter 23: The Experienced Marquis of Wuyang

The Directorate of Ceremonial.

Opening the roster, Zuo Guang’en began marking names. The busier he was, the more energized he became; even after working for hours, he felt not the slightest fatigue.

The feeling of holding life and death in one’s hands was simply exquisite.

The names on the list were all those who had opposed him; some of the more prominent ones had even pointed at his nose and cursed him.

Now, a simple mark was enough to send these bastards to their deaths. If still unsatisfied, he could extend the purge to their families.

“I’ve marked them. Go carry it out immediately!”

Saying this, Zuo Guang’en put down his brush, a victor’s smile curling at his lips.

“Elder, by handling them this way, aren’t you letting them off too easily?”

The young eunuch who took the roster spoke with bitter indignation.

During the fiercest clashes of late, the Pure Stream faction had wanted to exterminate every last one of you.

That grand spectacle terrified many eunuchs, who feared that listening to the Pure Stream would lead to their physical annihilation.

Now the tide had turned; the victorious eunuchs must seek revenge.

Zuo Guang’en’s execution list totaled only six civil officials—all marginal figures within the Pure Stream. Compared to what they had expected, this was nothing at all.

“You know well that I, this minister, am the most compassionate. I cannot bear to see so many die, so I chose leniency.

But their crimes are too grave; to leave them unpunished would not quell public outrage.

Very well, I shall bear even more.

I shall extend further mercy: spare them the torment of family dispersal.

Choose them a good place, and have them relocate their entire clans there.”

Hearing Zuo Guang’en’s reply, the previously disgruntled eunuchs instantly beamed with joy.

Killing enemies brings only temporary satisfaction.

Nothing compares to watching them live each day in regret and anguish.

Their families raised them to become officials so they could lift their clans to glory—not to drag their entire line into exile.

Human nature cannot withstand such tests; if the entire clan were exiled,

the elders who raised them, the blood relatives they grew up with, would all turn into enemies overnight.

Living daily under the curses of one’s own kin, no one could avoid a shattered mind.

This psychological torment is far more terrifying than death itself.

With these living examples, anyone considering opposing them must think twice—can they bear the consequences of failure?

“Elder, no wonder you’re fit to be Chancellor.

Just this breadth of vision is enough to carry several great ships—far beyond what those rigid scholars in court can manage!”

With this round of flattery, the atmosphere inside the Directorate of Ceremonial grew unusually warm.

…

Hou Fu.

After explaining the fundraising plan, Li Mu waited silently for the Marquis’s reply.

He had met this commanding officer only rarely, but he’d heard many rumors about him.

Arrogant, tyrannical, autocratic, incompetent, greedy—none of them were good words.

Li Mu did not know the Marquis’s true character, but the fact that he held the position of Commandant proved he was far from the useless fool the world claimed him to be.

Never mind distant rivals; even the several Deputy Commandants within the Five City Military Commission constantly sought to unseat him.

In a place teeming with noble scions, mere background was no longer enough—you had to demonstrate real capability.

Take Li Mu himself: since becoming Battalion Commander of Nancheng, everyone treated him politely on the surface, but inwardly, few truly respected him.

No upheaval had occurred only because he knew how to handle people—he made no trouble after taking office and harmed no one’s interests.

When confronting the Eastern Depot’s agents, his firm stance was not only to protect his fellow officers but also to demonstrate authority before his subordinates.

"You kid, you're still restless, aren't you?

But since the Eastern Depot has borrowed the Five City Military Commission’s grounds, it’s only natural we take our share.

I agree to this.

I won’t meddle in the details. As long as no chaos erupts, you may act freely—just hand over fifty thousand taels of silver afterward.

Don’t bargain. The other Battalion Commands must pay too.

This money isn’t mine alone; after setting aside funds for the yamen’s operation, I must also reserve a portion for His Majesty.”

The Marquis’s reply made Li Mu understand why he could hold the Commandant’s seat over all the noble scions.

When making money, he knew to give the Emperor his share first—how could favor not surge?

Even if trouble arose, the Emperor, seeing the silver, would surely give this good uncle some leeway.

“My Lord, I’m not dodging responsibility.

The imprisoned officials have all had their households seized; the money taken by the eunuch faction won’t be returned.

Given the Eastern Depot’s methods, they’ll surely subject them to brutal torture.

The Pure Stream faction has few men of iron will; few can withstand the tortures of the imperial prison—they’ll hand over even hidden wealth.

Former friends and relatives are barely willing to pay to ransom them; if the price is too high, the deal collapses.

And even after securing the money, you must split it with the Eastern Depot’s agents—how much remains is anyone’s guess!”

Li Mu couldn’t help but complain.

The price was simply too high—no wonder his colleagues held a poor opinion of this man. Income was limited; if those above took more, those below naturally got less.

If the prisoners had been captured by the Five City Military Commission, I could squeeze out five million taels, let alone fifty.

But now it’s different—the choicest meat has already been eaten by others. We’re lucky if we get a sip of broth.

“You’re still too green.

Even if these officials’ assets have been seized and they’re broke now, don’t their relatives, classmates, and mentors still have money?

They risked their lives to serve the Pure Stream. If they won’t even pay a ransom to save them, isn’t that heartless?

If they refuse to pay, make them implicate others. Having worked together for years, they must have dirt on each other.

From what I know, beyond their official holdings, they’ve secretly acquired numerous silent shares.

Investigate the merchants closely tied to them—go straight to their doors and issue fines. If they refuse to pay, send them to the imperial prison!”

The Marquis’s method of extracting wealth opened Li Mu’s eyes.

No wonder so many people risked angering the eunuch faction to secretly lobby behind the scenes after these officials were arrested.

Past relationships counted for barely ten percent; more often, they feared these imprisoned men, in desperation, would spill everything and drag them in too.

The tactic was indeed cruel—but the eunuch faction bore the blame and took the flak. As the intermediaries, the Five City Military Commission merely took their money and did their bidding.

“Thank you, my Lord, for your instruction—I understand exactly what to do!”

(End of Chapter)