Chapter 159: Zuo Guangdou and the Others Confess

The members of the Yang household ate a brief meal, then gathered in the main hall, exchanging grave looks with one another.

There were Censors from the Censorate, Supervising Secretaries from the Office of Rites, Bureau Directors from the Ministry of Justice—either Yang Lian's fellow degree-holders and close friends, or his fellow townsmen. All were "their own people" who knew one another well.

"Brother Yang, the Emperor clearly intends to favor the inner court eunuchs. This situation must be checked, or the troubles will be endless!"

"Exactly. Wei the eunuch grows more arrogant by the day. If this continues, we'll all become fish on the chopping block!"

"Brother Zuo and the others must be rescued, no matter how much silver it costs!"

"Right. Wei the eunuch is also scrounging for silver everywhere these days. As long as we get the men out, we'll have ample means and men to deal with him!"

Yang Lian had been listening with a stern face all along. After a long while, he said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, let me first try to see Brother Zuo and the others. We'll discuss the specific measures after I return."

"That's a good approach. First get word to Brother Zuo and the others, and see whether the matter can still be salvaged!"

"At worst, we can bring Brother Xiong back to confront them. We must find a way to clear Brother Zuo and the others of their crimes!"

"We drive out evil with righteousness—we will never tolerate Wei the eunuch being so utterly lawless!"

The group rose to their feet, all brimming with righteous indignation.

Yang Lian changed his clothes, took a sedan chair, and headed straight for the Provost's prison.

Strictly speaking, the Provost's prison was the Imperial Prison, not easily entered. But that prison had recently been purged, and with no one in charge—and Tian Ergeng being, as everyone well knew, an "outsider"—Yang Lian's steward slipped a ingot of silver to the guard and quietly sent Yang Lian inside.

When he saw Zuo Guangdou and the others sitting in a circle, their faces utterly ruined, his eyes flew wide with fury, nearly splitting at the corners, and he was about to burst into curses.

"Brother Yang, hold your anger."

Gu Dazhang, covered in blood, tilted his head and looked at him with barely a breath of life: "Quickly tell us how things stand outside."

Zuo Guangdou and the others also knew that since the eunuch faction tortured them without the slightest scruple, they most likely had some evidence and had obtained the Emperor's tacit approval. They hurriedly pressed for answers as well.

Yang Lian forcibly suppressed his rage, his face livid, and laid out the general situation.

A jailer poked his head out and reminded him in a low voice, "Master Yang, please keep it brief. If you stay too long, Master Tian will be back."

Zuo Guangdou and the others listened to Yang Lian's account, then exchanged glances, their expressions turning grim.

They still weren't sure of Wang Wenyan's situation, but it seemed he hadn't given them away—otherwise there would have been no need to drag things out to this point.

Zuo Guangdou pondered for a moment, then looked at the others and said, "Gentlemen, the situation is critical. Wei the eunuch will hardly let us out easily. Better that we first admit to the charges. Once Wei Zhongxian lets down his guard and sends us back to the Ministry of Justice, there will surely come a time for us to strike back and drive him out!"

Men of letters never speak of killing directly, but beneath Zuo Guangdou's calm words lay a full measure of killing intent.

Wei Dazhong and the others listened and began discussing in low voices.

The jailer popped out again and called in a low voice, "Master Yang, you'd best leave now, or you won't be able to!"

Zuo Guangdou looked at Yang Lian and said, "Brother Yang, go on ahead. We'll admit to the charges first. I'll trouble you to make the rounds at the Ministry of Justice."

Yang Lian nodded and said, "Very well. I'll make arrangements outside and await your release." With that, Yang Lian hurriedly departed this place of demons and hellish officials.

Not long after Yang Lian left, Tian Ergeng returned.

He had just come back from the Eastern Depot. His face was all the more sinister, a long whip in his hand, and he glared fiercely at Zuo Guangdou and the others: "Gentlemen, how did you find the instruments of my Northern Provost's prison? Don't rush—there are plenty more, and plenty of time for you to sample each and every one!"

Wei Dazhong and the others glared with hatred, gritting their teeth and saying nothing, all looking toward Zuo Guangdou.

Zuo Guangdou's whole body ached with wounds, and a striking bloody gash ran across his face. He looked at Tian Ergeng, drew a deep breath, and said, "No need. We'll confess."

"Confess?"

Tian Ergeng was clearly stunned for a moment, then let out a sneer: "So much for iron bones and unyielding spirit, preferring death to surrender. Turns out you're just soft-boned cowards. How laughable, how pitiful!"

The men's chests blazed with fury and they could barely keep from cursing, but Zuo Guangdou, his expression all the calmer, spoke first: "No need for idle talk. Bring paper and brush—we'll sign and affix our seals."

Tian Ergeng was deeply disappointed. He gave the men a cold once-over, his face twitching, then tossed aside the whip in his hand and called out, "Someone come!"

Soon an interrogation official ran in and went through the confessions with each of them in turn, having them sign and affix their seals.

Only after confirming everything was in order—that all of them had admitted to providing silver to Wang Wenyan to bribe the inner court and the Grand Secretariat—did Tian Ergeng knit his brows, rise, and say, "Keep a close watch on them. No one is to be allowed to see them!"

The jailer gave him a cautious look and said, "Yes, sir."

Tian Ergeng took their confessions and went straight to the Eastern Depot to deliver them to Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian looked at the nearly identical confessions from the several men, his expression cold, dark glints flickering in his eyes.

Since Xu Xianchun's death, Tian Ergeng had grown noticeably more cautious. He looked at Wei Zhongxian and said, "Your Excellency, they've all confessed. What should we do—just let them go like this?"

These men all had prominent reputations both in court and among the literati. This small matter would hardly topple them completely; the moment they got out, they might well find some excuse to deny everything and continue their counterattack.

"Let them go?" Wei Zhongxian's brow twitched violently of its own accord, killing intent boiling in his heart, a cold smile surfacing on his face. Wei Zhongxian had already conceived murderous designs on this lot. Had it not been for Zhu Xu shielding them from behind, they would long since have been tortured to death like Zhou Jianzong.

Wei Zhongxian looked at the memorials, the corner of his eye twitching, and said, "Since they've confessed, continue pursuing the recovered bribes!"

"Pursue the bribes?" Tian Ergeng was first taken aback, then grinned savagely: "Yes, Your Excellency. This subordinate understands. I'll go back at once and continue the torture!"

Wei Zhongxian nodded, then cautioned, "Regardless of what happens, keep them alive."

Tian Ergeng naturally agreed and, without a moment's pause, turned and hurried straight back to the Northern Provost's prison.

Wei Zhongxian looked at the stack of confessions, calculated for a while, then went directly into the palace.

Zhu Youxiao looked at the five confessions, his face livid, gnashing his teeth in hatred.

Each confession was written out in perfect clarity, and the handwriting of Zuo Guangdou and the others was neat and orderly. All of it lay bare, naked and raw before Zhu Youxiao—so much so that he could hardly believe it, and at the same time hated as he never had before. The hand holding the memorials trembled.

"These were the ministers entrusted with the late Emperor's orphan! These are the pure-stream officials of iron courage and loyal hearts!"

Zhu Youxiao flung his hand violently, sending the confessions scattering through the air.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!" Wei Zhongxian hastily knelt and prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to move.

Zhu Youxiao was beside himself with rage. Grand Secretariat clerks bribing the inner court, colluding with Wang An and the others, and the remonstrating officials of the Censorate speaking up for them—what in the world were they trying to do?

Zhu Youxiao's fury knew no bounds. Suddenly his face went rigid, great beads of cold sweat poured down his forehead, and his body toppled straight backward.

The attending servants' faces changed dramatically at the sight, and they cried out in terror, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The imperial physician—quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Wei Zhongxian, likewise stricken with alarm, rushed to Zhu Youxiao's side.

Zhu Youxiao lay convulsing, his gaze vacant, writhing in agony upon the dragon throne.

Before long the imperial physician arrived, applying needles and forcing medicine down his throat until at last Zhu Youxiao was restored to calm. Yet his face remained pale, his eyes somewhat dim, and he gasped for breath as though he had just survived a grave illness.

The attending servants present were silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to speak. Wei Zhongxian's heart pounded with fear as well, but he dared not ask further.

Zhu Youxiao took a sip of tea, caught his breath, and looked at the imperial physician, saying, "What illness did I suffer from this time?"

The imperial physician was an old man with a white beard, but upon hearing this, his expression turned awkward and he stammered hesitantly.

Zhu Youxiao glanced around and said flatly, "There are no outsiders here. Speak frankly."

The old physician hesitated for a moment, then lowering his head, said, "Your Majesty, it should be from catching a chill in the winter. Additionally... additionally, marital relations should not be too frequent, and as for certain medicines, it would be best... best not to use them anymore."

Zhu Youxiao understood at once. He waved his hand and said, "Fine, I understand. You may withdraw."