Chapter 157: The Six Gentlemen Cast into Prison

Zhu Xu sat there, his gaze fixed on Wei Zhongxian's face, his right hand tapping the table as he pondered bit by bit.

Wei Zhongxian—this was no ordinary man. His influence ran through the late Ming all the way to the dynasty's fall. Yet he was indispensable; in a court filled with upright men, factions intertwined and internal strife never ceased—without him, many things could never be accomplished.

His right hand tapped the table, crisp hoofbeat-like sounds ringing through the room. Zhu Xu calculated inwardly how he could both make Wei Zhongxian feel awe and fear without hindering his expansion of power, as well as his attacks on the Donglin Faction.

Wei Zhongxian stood there with a bowed posture, his face calm but his heart anything but. He had long witnessed Zhu Xu's methods; without his tacit approval, he would have died long ago and never reached today. Though he now appeared fierce in momentum and deep in imperial favor, in truth he was far worse off than a year ago, when ruler and minister suited each other well and Madam Ke, who could make the Emperor heed every word, was still present.

He had come today indeed for Yang Lian. Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Gu Dazhang and others, in his view, were like mad dogs biting and refusing to let go—his patience had reached its limit!

Yang Lian was Zhu Xu's teacher, so Wei Zhongxian naturally dared not act rashly. Coming this time, he had formed the intention to move against Yang Lian!

"I hear that Xu Xianchun keeps clinging to the matter of Xiong Tingbi?"

Zhu Xu's fingers suddenly paused. He reached out, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured himself some water.

Wei Zhongxian's expression shifted slightly. He saw danger in Zhu Xu's movement and said in a remedial tone, "It is this slave's failure to discipline properly. Upon returning, I will certainly deal with it severely."

"No need," Zhu Xu said, the teacup at his lips as he looked up at Wei Zhongxian and said flatly: "This prince has already sent men to take his head."

As Zhu Xu's words fell, from the side door behind him, Cao Wenzhao quietly rose and gave a low instruction to Feng Zhu.

Xu Xianchun was a cruel official, more terrifying than Tian Ergeng. Zhu Xu felt not a shred of psychological burden in killing him.

Wei Zhongxian's face twitched, but his heart shook violently. He knew he had touched the Prince Hui's reverse scale. But Yang Lian and the others were now a huge hurdle; if he could not cross it, he could only wait to be done in by the pure-stream faction. So he suppressed the violent pounding of his heart and stood bowed and motionless.

The corners of Zhu Xu's mouth curled up slightly, then he took a sip of tea and said, "Teacher Yang you must not touch. Even if he sets a blade to your throat, you endure it for this prince."

Wei Zhongxian's cheek twitched. At this moment, how could he dare resist? He bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

Zhu Xu narrowed his eyes, sizing up Wei Zhongxian, his fingers tapping again. After a long while he said, "Shen Yan, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, is about to resign. Zhao Han is my man."

Wei Zhongxian's expression did not change. He said, "This slave understands."

Zhu Xu quickly added, "The post of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is vacant. Wang Shaohui of the Censorate is also my man."

Wei Zhongxian did not hesitate in the slightest. He said, "This slave understands."

Zhu Xu had roughly discerned Wei Zhongxian's intentions by now. Without showing anything, he continued, "I hear the Eastern Depot is building a great prison. I have some people with nowhere to arrange. Take them in."

Wei Zhongxian still showed no reaction, bowing as he said, "Yes, Your Highness."

One could not press this lord too hard either. After the beating with the stick, it was time to offer the sweet date.

Zhu Xu thought for a moment, then said, "Aside from Teacher Yang, I don't care about the others. Torture, exile to the outer posts, banishment, stripping of rank—all are fine, but they must not die! Additionally, Ye Xianggao, *** Xing, Gao Panlong and others—within three months, I will send them home in resignation, considered as venting your anger."

Wei Zhongxian suddenly raised his head, his gaze burning as he looked at Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu's expression was calm, a smile at the corners of his mouth, full of confidence.

Wei Zhongxian drew a quiet breath and said respectfully in a low voice, "Thank you, Your Highness. This slave will heed Your Highness's commands."

Zhu Xu waved his hand, pondered for a moment, then said with a genial smile, "What you said is right. This prince only wants a clean reputation; you want power. In the days ahead, this prince will still need Eunuch Wei's care."

Wei Zhongxian dared not put on airs. He bowed and said, "Rest assured, Your Highness. This slave will surely let Your Highness obtain what he desires."

The subtext was that he too would obtain what he desired.

Zhu Xu sighed inwardly and waved his hand. "Everything that needed saying has been said. From now on, let us both understand each other without words."

Wei Zhongxian had basically obtained what he wanted from this visit, and his expression gradually relaxed. His only original worry was that Prince Hui would not relent. If Prince Hui did not relent, he would be helpless. But as long as Prince Hui relented, no price was too great to pay.

He covertly observed Zhu Xu, then laid out his upcoming plan against Zuo Guangdou and the others. After Zhu Xu nodded, he respectfully took his leave and departed.

The moment Wei Zhongxian left, Fu Changzong walked out with a grave expression.

Zhu Xu also let out a light breath and shook his head inwardly.

What was destined to come would come eventually—it could not be blocked. But with Wei Zhongxian around, many things would not get worse. Some things simply needed him to do them before he himself could act.

Fu Changzong sat down beside Zhu Xu, looking at him with a trace of worry on his face. "Xu'er, are you not worried about the tail growing too big to wag the dog?"

Zhu Xu's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone carrying an ineffable confidence and dominance. "It's fine. I was able to cast him into the dust before; now even less will I tolerate his insolence!"

Seeing Zhu Xu speak this way, Fu Changzong did not ask further, but then said, "Our people are still too few after all. Otherwise we would have weight to our words at court."

Zhu Xu nodded. Counting them all, only three of his people could stand in the court: his maternal uncle Fu Changzong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue; Zhou Yingqiu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works; and Zhao Han, soon to be Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. If there were more people, as more vacancies appeared at court, they could completely fill them and claim a place in the court!

But for now, the Donglin Faction remained overwhelmingly powerful, and the eunuch faction was gradually gathering strength. He could not stick his head out now. Smiling, he waved his hand and said, "Don't rush for now. Let the eunuch faction and the Donglin Faction fight it out. We'll lay our plans in silence."

Though he said this, Zhu Xu thought of his teacher—the academy Yang Lian ran, which was specifically for cultivating talent for the court and the military.

'Perhaps I can make some moves inside there.'

After returning to the palace, Zhu Xu set aside all thoughts and studied peacefully.

The next day, the entire court and country shook violently once again.

Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Yuan Huazhong, Wei Dazhong, Zhou Chaorui, Gu Dazhang—six men were simultaneously thrown into prison, on the grounds that Wang Wenyan had offered and accepted bribes, and all six were implicated. But that very day Yang Lian was released for lack of evidence, while the others remained in custody.

Zuo Guangdou and the others could be called veterans of three reigns, holding extremely high prestige among the pure-stream faction, the remonstrance officials, and the Donglin Faction. Their sudden imprisonment by Wei Zhongxian naturally caused a great earthquake.

Countless memorials floated into the Directorate of Ceremonial—over seventy within half a day. Every single personal memorial impeached Wei Zhongxian and defended Zuo Guangdou and the others.

At this moment, in the prison of the Northern Provost Office.

Tian Ergeng's expression was savage and terrifying as he stared at Wang Wenyan, who was tightly pinned to the wall by iron wire.

Xu Xianchun had had his head chopped off in front of him yesterday, leaving him shocked and terrified. That man had counted as imperial clan as well—and died just like that.

Only at that moment did he understand that Wei Zhongxian's instructions were no joke. If the one being interrogated had been him, the one dead would likely have been him too.

Tian Ergeng also did not know who stood behind Xiong Tingbi, that their methods were so fierce as to make Eunuch Wei—who dared oppose the entire pure-stream faction—fearful to such a degree.

The muscles of his face bulged, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Wang Wenyan, who had lost all color. With murderous intent he said, "Speak. The silver you used to bribe the Grand Secretariat—where did it come from? Zuo Guangdou and the others have already confessed."