Chapter 156: Wei Zhongxian Sees Through Zhu Xu

The eunuch faction was gradually taking shape, and as Wei Zhongxian increasingly grasped Zhu Youxiao's pulse, it grew ever more aggressive.

Internal strife within the Donglin Faction showed no sign of abating, spreading from south to north, inside and outside the passes.

Beyond the passes, Sun Chengzong clashed with Wang Xiangqian and ultimately succeeded in forcing Wang Xiangqian to resign, seizing all power beyond the passes.

Chief Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao disagreed politically with Huang Ruliang and forcibly transferred Huang Ruliang to Nanjing to serve as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites in retirement, whereupon Huang Ruliang begged to return home, and the Grand Secretariat approved.

And as Wei Zhongxian's momentum grew, the pressure on Chief Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao increased ever more, until he even submitted a memorial to the Emperor saying, "The affairs of state can no longer be managed; I beg to return my bones home."

Early in the fifth month, the weather gradually warmed, at the workshop east of the city.

Li Deyong held the account book, his face brimming with excitement as he said to Zhu Xu, "Your Highness, just from noodles alone, we've earned two hundred thousand taels in three months. Additionally, glass products have also started to explode—earning seventy thousand taels—and in the months ahead the figure will only keep climbing. This year we'll make at least two million taels."

Zhu Xu strolled through the workshop, nodding with satisfaction.

This workshop was his greatest money-making weapon; with the expansion of channels and reputation, the silver he earned was at least ten times what Li Deyong claimed!

"Mm, well done."

After making a full round, Zhu Xu said to Li Deyong, "This year's sweet potatoes and corn are more than sufficient. You can release them in volume, and you can also give them a bit more discount."

"Yes, Your Highness," Li Deyong closed the account book, still beaming with joy. "Also, more and more merchants in the south are cooperating with us, and quite a few merchant associations have been established. All of that was arranged with help from Manager Zhou."

Zhu Xu nodded. Zhou Jianyu controlled the grain transport and had deep connections in Jiangnan; likewise, his assistant Shen Aonan was no simple figure—with the backing of the three great merchant houses and Zhu Xu's hidden power, rapid expansion was only natural.

Fu Changzong had been following at Zhu Xu's side the whole time, his expression calm, watching without speaking.

After strolling a while longer, Zhu Xu left the workshop with Fu Changzong.

The moment one foot crossed the threshold, Feng Zhu ran over and whispered, "Your Highness, Wei Zhongxian requests an audience."

Zhu Xu stood at the doorway, looking at the early spring sun, his face warm and bright, and could not help but reveal a hint of a smile.

Fu Changzong clasped his hands behind his back; upon hearing this, however, his brows knitted, and he looked at Zhu Xu and said, "Xu'er, this Wei Zhongxian has grown increasingly arrogant lately. In the court, Gu Bingqian and Wei Guanghui both speak up for him. This time he's come looking for you—I fear nothing good will come of it."

Zhu Xu's smile only widened. He glanced at Fu Changzong and said, "The lesson I taught him before was too profound. Since he's come to find me, it's likely he's dissatisfied with someone around me and has come to ask for instructions."

Fu Changzong paused slightly, startled. "You mean—Yang Dahong?"

Zhu Xu nodded and said to Feng Zhu, "Have him go to your teahouse."

Feng Zhu acknowledged and hurriedly turned and left.

Zhu Xu then smiled at Fu Changzong and said, "Uncle, let's go together and see how this Eunuch Wei plans to convince me."

Fu Changzong had little on his plate today and was indeed curious, so he nodded and followed Zhu Xu onto the carriage.

Meanwhile, Wei Zhongxian, surrounded by a retinue of guards, walked slowly toward the teahouse.

Fu Yingxing looked at Wei Zhongxian's cold, hard, and utterly composed face and said in a low voice, "Uncle, are we really going to see Prince Hui? He's not someone to be trifled with."

Fu Yingxing was one of the few around Wei Zhongxian who knew the "truth," and he feared this young prince—who moved silently and wielded ruthless means—from the depths of his heart.

Wei Zhongxian strolled along, his gaze calm, his tone indifferent. "Not to be trifled with? I have no intention of trifling with him either."

Fu Yingxing's face was grave; he knew full well Wei Zhongxian's purpose this time.

Yang Lian and the others refused to let go, and Wei Zhongxian, wary that Yang Lian was Prince Hui's teacher, dared not act rashly. This visit was ostensibly to ask for instructions, but in reality it was to apply pressure—and as for the deeper purpose, Fu Yingxing dared not even think about it.

Wei Zhongxian glanced at him, gathered his robes, and said coldly, "To deal with a man, you need to know what he wants. Before, I didn't know, so I feared him. Now that I know, I naturally have plenty of ways."

Fu Yingxing was taken aback. "Uncle, you know what Prince Hui wants?"

A sharp glint danced in Wei Zhongxian's eyes, and his tone turned slightly cold. "Before, he wanted silver, like all the other imperial clansmen. Now—he wants a spotless reputation!"

Fu Yingxing fell into thought after hearing this. In this life, a man's pursuits boil down to four words: merit, rank, fame, and wealth. Prince Hui's status was special—merit was out of the question, for he could only ever be a feudal prince his whole life, and rank was likewise fixed.

That left only two words: fame and wealth.

Prince Hui was young; before, he had no need for fame and so chased silver. Now that his several merchant associations were raking in gold by the day, with leisure on his hands, he would naturally turn to pursuing a spotless reputation.

Fu Yingxing worked it all out, then looked around and said, "Then, Uncle, how exactly do you plan to deal with him? Yang Lian is his teacher—he certainly won't agree."

Wei Zhongxian raised his head and looked at the teahouse not far off. His face shifted slightly, and as if talking to himself, he said, "You'll know in a moment."

Zhu Xu also spotted Wei Zhongxian, escorted by dozens of guards, through the window, and smiled at Fu Changzong, who was drinking tea at his side. "Uncle, this Eunuch Wei is growing more imposing by the day."

Though Fu Changzong was not of the pure-stream faction, he held no fondness for eunuchs either. He stood up and said, "I'll go to the back."

Zhu Xu nodded and watched Wei Zhongxian approach with a beaming smile.

Wei Zhongxian entered with Fu Yingxing and bowed with great deference. "This servant pays his respects to Your Highness."

Zhu Xu waved a hand and said courteously, "Eunuch Wei, please rise. I can hardly bear such a bow from you now."

Wei Zhongxian rose at once without explanation. He glanced at Zhu Xu and said, "Your Highness, this servant has already ordered two million taels' worth of goods deposited into the Huitong Merchant Association. Your Highness may draw upon it at will."

A hint of a smile appeared on Zhu Xu's face. "Courtesy before force—not bad. Continue."

Wei Zhongxian kept his body bowed, with not the slightest trace of disrespect on his face, nor any displeasure at being seen through by Zhu Xu. He remained calm as he said, "Your Highness, Wang Wenyan has already confessed. He bribed the inner court forty thousand taels on behalf of Xiong Tingbi, and the Grand Secretariat sixty thousand. His own assets were insufficient, so the remainder came from Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, and others."

Zhu Xu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and raised a hand. "Go on."

Wei Zhongxian paused briefly, then said, "Your Highness, this servant already has evidence. In a matter of days, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Gu Dazhang, and others will be thrown into prison. Once they confess, this servant will make a show of intending to sentence them to death. Your Highness may then petition His Majesty to strip them of their ranks and send them back to their hometowns, and Yang Lian may be spared punishment and kept in office."

Zhu Xu's eyes suddenly narrowed as he sized up Wei Zhongxian, then said slowly, "Give me your reasons."

Wei Zhongxian raised his head and looked straight at Zhu Xu, his gaze steady and resolute, nearly word by word: "Your Highness wants a spotless reputation; this servant wants power."

Zhu Xu tapped the table with his right hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

This Wei Zhongxian truly could not be underestimated. After the new year, he had indeed done a few things to burnish his image before the renowned pure-stream elders—and Wei Zhongxian had seen right through it.

Fortunately, Zhu Youxiao was only just past twenty, and his throne was secure; no one would ever imagine that Zhu Xu, as the emperor's younger brother, might harbor any treasonous thoughts.

Zhu Xu said nothing, and Wei Zhongxian likewise fell silent, his body slightly bowed, head lowered, his dark, hard face betraying not a single trace of expression.