Chapter 133: The Way to Save Him

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Xiong Tingbi had become the focal point of the factional struggle, so if one wished to save him, one had to start from that very factional struggle.

Zhu Xu pondered for a long moment, then raised his head to look at Cao Wenzhao, whose face was full of eager hope, and said: "Rise first."

Cao Wenzhao could also see Zhu Xu's difficulty. He stood up somewhat nervously, his face still a mix of expectation and anxiety.

Zhu Xu's fingers tapped the tabletop, a crisp, light clattering sound ringing out. He said unhurriedly: "Xiong Tingbi's root problem now lies not in the defeat at Guangning, but in the factional strife at court. To save him, I can exert my strength on Wei Zhongxian's side, but as for the Donglin Faction — Lord Xiong will have to find a way himself."

Hearing this, Cao Wenzhao said hastily: "I beg Your Highness to advise me."

Zhu Xu thought to himself, sorting through his thoughts bit by bit, and said: "I'll handle the eunuchs' side. The defeat at Guangning, though not the root problem, cannot be circumvented either. The Donglin Faction needs to give a reasonable explanation at court to shut the mouths of the others and of my Imperial Brother."

Cao Wenzhao thought it over seriously, then said: "Your Highness, Lord Xiong and Lord Wang are the closest of friends — there will surely be a way."

Zhu Xu nodded slightly, then turned and shouted loudly toward the outside: "Little Cao!"

Cao Huachun quickly walked in from outside, bowed, and said: "What does Your Highness command?"

Zhu Xu said: "Go to the accounts office and draw forty thousand taels of silver, deliver it to Wei Zhongxian, and tell him: the first man this prince intends to protect is Xiong Tingbi!"

Cao Huachun did not yet know the specifics, but if Xiong Tingbi was to be protected, then Wang Huazhen, who was bound to him, would probably have to be saved as well, wouldn't he?

He raised his head to look at Zhu Xu, and still asked: "Your Highness, what about Wang Huazhen then?"

A man like Wang Huazhen was not worth regretting if he died. Zhu Xu also knew that he and Wei Zhongxian were in league with each other. A flicker of disgust crossed his face as he said: "Let Wei Zhongxian handle him as he pleases."

Cao Huachun acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Zhu Xu then said to Cao Wenzhao: "Go to the imperial prison once more and tell Xiong Tingbi that the eunuchs' side has already been handled by me — only the Donglin Faction's side remains."

Cao Wenzhao was overjoyed and said: "Your subordinate thanks Your Highness. I shall go make the arrangements at once."

Zhu Xu nodded, watching Cao Wenzhao's retreating figure. He narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.

He had nearly forgotten about Xiong Tingbi's matter — this was an excellent opening to get a foothold in Liaodong!

"I just wonder how the Donglin Faction plans to save Xiong Tingbi..." Zhu Xu muttered to himself. Xiong Tingbi had brought about the great defeat in Liaodong and lost six cities, plunging the Liaodong situation into utter ruin beyond recovery. With a crime like that, without a sufficiently reasonable justification, the mouths of the world could not be stopped.

Before long, Cao Wenzhao, dressed in the attire of a household retainer, followed behind Xiong Guangyuan and entered the imperial prison.

Once Cao Wenzhao had explained the matter, Xiong Tingbi's face grew agitated as he said: "Wenzhao, can your words truly be trusted?"

Cao Wenzhao knew that what he had said was too vague, but he truly could not reveal too much, so he said: "Rest assured, my lord. Since His Highness has agreed to help, Wei Zhongxian will certainly give His Highness that face."

Even in prison, Xiong Tingbi had heard of Prince Hui's reputation, knowing that he was deeply favored by the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress. Hearing this, he felt a measure of confidence rise in his heart, and said: "Good, then I shall immediately contact Brother Wang and the others. As long as the eunuch faction doesn't cause trouble, there's a chance I can clear myself of the charges."

Cao Wenzhao, recalling Zhu Xu's words, warned him seriously: "My lord, the defeat at Guangning needs a sufficient justification to stop everyone's mouths. You must not be careless in the slightest."

The moment Xiong Tingbi heard this, his expression turned bitter with hatred. Gnashing his teeth, he said: "I know. But once I get out of here, I will absolutely not let that petty villain Wang Huazhen off!"

Cao Wenzhao naturally understood — when two men are arrested together, they are bound to shift blame onto each other. Not daring to linger, he said with a grave expression: "My lord, I have done everything that could be done. From here on, it is up to you."

Xiong Tingbi gripped the cell bars with both hands, his face moved with emotion as he said: "Good. Wenzhao, if Xiong here is released, you will be my lifesaver. Such grace I dare never forget — you will be greatly rewarded!"

Cao Wenzhao said hurriedly: "My lord, please do not misunderstand. The plan came from His Highness Prince Hui, and the silver came from His Highness as well. I merely ran the errands."

Xiong Tingbi's expression showed understanding. He said: "Good, rest assured. Once I am out, I will certainly pay my respects to His Highness Prince Hui and thank him for the grace of saving my life."

Only then did Cao Wenzhao breathe a sigh of relief. He gave a few more instructions, then left in a hurry.

Xiong Guangyuan did not leave. He stepped closer, looking at Xiong Tingbi with some doubt, and said: "Father, can what General Cao said truly be trusted?"

Xiong Tingbi had been imprisoned for a long time and was somewhat unfamiliar with the outside world. His expression was grave and contemplative. After a long pause, he said decisively: "Wenzhao followed me for many years. He values loyalty and righteousness — I trust him!"

Xiong Guangyuan took a deep breath, puffing out his chest, and said: "Yes, Father. Then what should your son do?"

Xiong Tingbi had already formed a plan in his mind. He said: "Go see Lord Wang. Tell him that I have already settled the eunuchs' side, and ask him to find a sufficient justification at court to stop the mouths there."

In Xiong Tingbi's view, the Emperor was still too young — far inferior to the Wanli Emperor — and was no match for them. As long as the court spoke with one voice, he would have no choice but to agree.

Xiong Guangyuan listened to Xiong Tingbi's words and said: "Yes, Father. I shall go find Lord Wang right away."

Wei Zhongxian, who was at the Eastern Depot, also received the news quickly.

Yang Lian and the others had not yet impeached Wei Zhongxian, and Wei Zhongxian had not yet accumulated much resentment toward Xiong Tingbi and the others. Hearing the message from His Highness Prince Hui, he sat there, his expression indifferent, his gaze cold and sharp.

A depot officer stood before him, holding a stack of silver notes in his hand, and said with an excited expression: "Director, forty thousand taels — His Highness Prince Hui really is generous."

Wei Zhongxian glanced at him, gave a faint smile, then furrowed his brow and said: "Send the silver into the palace immediately. Have Liu Chao take it to see His Highness Prince Hui, and tell him that I will respectfully obey His Highness's command."

The depot officer was taken aback. He stepped forward and asked in confusion: "Director, are we really returning this silver? This was him begging us..."

Wei Zhongxian gave him a cold look. The depot officer's gaze tightened, and he said hastily: "Yes, Director. This subordinate will go handle it at once."

"Wait!" Wei Zhongxian said calmly at the very moment the man turned to leave.

The depot officer turned back, clasped his fists, and said: "Does the Director have further instructions?"

Wei Zhongxian was silent for a long while before he said: "Go tell Jiang Yanshan that I will compensate him for the silver. Tell him not to pursue the matter any further. And say a few good words for Xiong Tingbi before the Emperor."

Jiang Yanshan was the eunuch to whom Wang Wenyan had paid the bribe.

Hearing this, the depot officer said: "Yes."

Wei Zhongxian waved his hand and said: "Go."

After the depot officer left, Wei Zhongxian clasped his hands behind his back, standing in the lofty hall. His gaze held unwillingness tinged with cold pride as he said, word by word: "Nineteen more to go!"

With the Donglin Faction and the eunuch faction both making their moves simultaneously, the Xiong Tingbi case — which had already become taboo at court, with no one willing to mention it — once again became the focus of attention.

This time, with Wang Wenyan orchestrating the connections, the Donglin Faction quickly brought the voices at court nearly into unison.

The case was dragged out from beginning to end in exhaustive detail. The ultimate goal was to shift the blame onto Wang Huazhen — the former Governor of Liaodong, who had held the same rank as Xiong Tingbi!