Chapter 216: Section 33: Juehua (Part 1)

Although those who had befriended Huang Shi were only junior members of the Donglin Party, Huang Shi understood that they were also speaking on behalf of those behind them. Huang Shi had read the jointly signed memorial; it contained nothing more than a set of grand principles — first condemning eunuchs as crippled wretches from the moral high ground, then citing classical precedents to list a few villainous eunuchs from antiquity, and finally tearfully beseeching the Emperor to "repent and awaken." As he read the memorial, Huang Shi had been smiling bitterly the whole time — the civil officials had probably spouted this same florid rhetoric tens of thousands of times already. If such platitudes could actually sway the Emperor, would they still need me to deliver them?

Huang Shi gently stroked the memorial in his hands once more, then slowly began recounting the events of that day. He believed that although Wei Zhongxian could guess the general outline, he absolutely did not know exactly what had been said. As Huang Shi spoke unhurriedly from beginning to end, Wei Zhongxian sat quietly to one side listening with great composure. When the account reached the point where Young Master Fang threatened suicide to coerce him, Huang Shi caught a flicker of cold mockery in Wei Zhongxian's eyes.

Wei Zhongxian of course knew that Fang Zhenru had shown Huang Shi the kindness of mentorship and promotion, and now that Fang Zhenru had been thrown into the Imperial Prison, he felt it would be unwise to completely suppress Huang Shi and forbid him from pleading for leniency. If by some chance Huang Shi were provoked into making a scene before the Emperor, that would also be troublesome. So he interjected: "General Huang has old ties with Fang Zhenru. If General Huang is willing to use all his military merits before His Majesty to guarantee that his life be spared..."

The two words "be spared" were bitten off heavily by Wei Zhongxian, and his voice stretched very long. Huang Shi understood that the other party was signaling his bottom line — namely, that overturning the case would absolutely not be tolerated. Wei Zhongxian observed Huang Shi's expression, confirming that this young general was not some reckless fool who did not know his limits. With a solemn expression, Wei Zhongxian extended one finger and leaned his body slightly forward to emphasize his tone: "...In my humble opinion, His Majesty will not sentence Fang Zhenru to immediate execution. After a few years, once His Majesty's anger has subsided, if General Huang submits another petition, he should be able to be released. As for the young lady of the Fang family, so long as her elder brother can repay the remaining embezzlement silver, I believe the Ministry of Justice will not make things difficult for her either."

At this point, Wei Zhongxian's cards were completely laid out on the table. His meaning was very clear: Huang Shi could only protect Fang Zhenru alone. Wei Zhongxian was also willing to grant Huang Shi a personal favor. According to the intelligence Wei Zhongxian possessed, Huang Shi had no particular ties to the other indicted officials. So long as he showed leniency toward Fang Zhenru, Huang Shi should be satisfied — that old fellow Fang Zhenru's household could not even produce fifteen taels of silver when searched; who knew how he had been an official all these years. And after so many years, he was still merely a seventh-rank Investigating Censor, presumably not someone well-liked. I, Wei Zhongxian, will not stoop to his level; it is not worth offending a great general like Huang Shi over him.

Upon hearing Wei Zhongxian's stance, the heart that had been hanging in suspense since early that morning finally settled like a stone dropping to the ground. Since Wei Zhongxian did not intend to exterminate the Fang family completely, and the other party clearly had no intention of making an enemy of him... honestly, what normal person likes to go around making enemies for no reason?... Huang Shi knew that his plan could basically succeed.

Huang Shi inclined his body and cupped his hands: "The Depot Master's care for this humble general truly moves me to tears of gratitude."

"You are too kind, too kind." Wei Zhongxian's face was also wreathed in smiles at this moment. He thought Huang Shi had accepted his proposal. Although letting Fang Zhenru off would make his "kill the chicken to warn the monkey" somewhat less perfect, being able to trade the life of a minor official like Fang Zhenru for Huang Shi's gratitude — Eunuch Wei felt this deal was still no loss.

"Just now this humble general mentioned that Young Master Fang threatened me with his life, demanding that I deliver this memorial on his behalf..." Huang Shi held the memorial in both hands and presented it before Wei Zhongxian: "But this humble general did not agree to it!"

At the time, Huang Shi had used all sorts of ambiguous words to fob off Sun and Fang. No matter how the two of them demanded, Huang Shi only agreed to act according to circumstances. He told Sun and Fang that he, Huang Shi, would "exert his utmost effort" to help the Donglin Party members — this phrase was the standard diplomatic parlance of later ages. Strictly speaking, Huang Shi had not guaranteed anything.

Wei Zhongxian was slightly surprised. He studied Huang Shi carefully, and finally, without betraying any emotion, took the memorial Huang Shi proffered and tossed it aside contemptuously, not even bothering to glance at it. That thick stack, into which the remnants of the Donglin Party had poured their hearts' blood and high hopes, was cast aside like garbage. This reaction from Huang Shi greatly exceeded Wei Zhongxian's expectations. Originally, he had inwardly pegged Huang Shi as a man who valued sentiment and old ties, but now this person's behavior seemed more like that of a greedy, shameless scoundrel. Still, Wei Zhongxian had seen more petty men than he could count; if Huang Shi wanted to sell out Fang Zhenru, why should he, Wei Zhongxian, stop him?

After the memorial had been discarded to one side, Huang Shi, his expression as composed as ever, asked: "This humble general has heard rumors that the Depot Master is thoroughly prosecuting the Guangning case, pursuing embezzled funds exceeding a million taels. Is this truly so?"

"Hmph. Those corrupt officials — I have thoroughly prosecuted their crimes, pursued several million taels in embezzled funds, and deposited it all into the Inner Treasury." Wei Zhongxian narrowed his eyes and swayed his head a few times, his smugness overflowing in his expression. Not every Donglin Party member was as incorruptible as Fang Zhenru. According to historical records, Wei Zhongxian's strike against the Donglin Party this time confiscated several million taels of silver from Donglin households, and also sold off the female dependents, lands, and properties of the convicted officials, considerably increasing the Tianqi Emperor's Inner Treasury income.

"These parasites truly deserve death." Huang Shi loudly echoed in feigned agreement, then lowered his voice and asked: "Depot Master, I have heard that the female dependents of those convicted officials have all been confiscated and taken into government custody, awaiting sale to make up the embezzled silver. Is this true?"

"It is indeed true." Wei Zhongxian nodded, then smiled again: "This embezzlement silver will also be used for the Liaodong military tax, so a portion should be yours as well."

Huang Shi hurriedly put a tall hat on him: "The Depot Master's solicitude for the frontier officers and soldiers moves this humble general to tears of gratitude."

Having said this, Huang Shi's voice suddenly dropped low again: "This humble general earnestly requests that the Depot Master grant these convict women to Changsheng Island."

"Oh?" Wei Zhongxian's originally narrowed eyes suddenly opened wide. He fixed his gaze thoughtfully on Huang Shi's face, as if trying to see through to the calculations in his heart.

Facing Wei Zhongxian's intense stare, Huang Shi was not the least bit flustered. He calmly voiced the words he had long prepared: "The Depot Master sees clearly — on Changsheng Island, men are many and women are few. Therefore, this humble general has always wished to establish a women's battalion. But the women on the island are mostly the sisters, wives, and family members of military household soldiers. Though this humble general has the intention, he suffers from a lack of usable personnel."

These words made Wei Zhongxian nod slightly. He remarked with a sigh: "I have heard from Wu Mu that General Huang's Changsheng Island is indeed harsh and austere. Most of the officers are unmarried — truly a difficulty."

Seeing that Wei Zhongxian acknowledged this reasoning, Huang Shi continued: "Depot Master, this humble general has repeatedly considered going to Shandong to purchase some women from brothels to form a women's battalion, but the expense is considerable, and this humble general has been hesitating all along. I originally planned that after the next military pay was issued, I would certainly buy some back. But today, hearing that the Depot Master is pursuing embezzled funds to aid military provisions..."

"You intend to take the people from me." If a government sale of an official's daughter could fetch one tael of silver, buying her back would cost at least twenty taels. Wei Zhongxian laughed and lightly slapped his thigh: "The proceeds from government sales are limited to begin with, and on top of that, the underlings and clerks below will take their cut. The silver from selling three hundred people, once it reaches your hands, probably could not even buy a hundred old brothel women in Shandong. Moreover, these women who were supposed to be sold by the government are not only officials' daughters but also maidservants, and many of them are still virgin young ladies... Hmm, General Huang, you have calculated this abacus very shrewdly indeed!"