Chapter 12: Li Banghua

After inspecting the Yongwei Camp and returning to Wuying Hall, it was already the end of the Shen hour. Under the maids' attendance, Chongzhen bathed and finished his evening meal as darkness fell.

Entertainment at this time was extremely scarce. Sleeping was too early—it was only around 7:30 in the evening—but not sleeping left nothing to do. He certainly couldn't sit around discussing life and ideals with a few eunuchs.

A thought stirred in Zhu Zhenqing's mind, bringing several matters to remembrance. He instructed Wang Cheng'en: "Tomorrow, arrange for a few clever, literate subordinates of yours to go to the imperial estate and help Liu Chao. That operation is a big undertaking—though it hasn't started yet, once it gets busy, he alone won't be able to handle it. Remember, these people aren't going to contend for power; Liu Chao is in charge there. Also, send word to Luo Yangxing to have the Embroidered Uniform Guard stations throughout the realm seek out extraordinary people and skilled craftsmen. Whoever has a resounding reputation locally—whether carpenter, blacksmith, stonemason, farming expert, weapon smith, or whatever—once verified to truly possess skill, have the local authorities jointly invite them to the capital. Say that I have great use for them. Remember, it is an invitation, not coercion. Each household that comes to the capital shall be given twenty taels of silver for settling expenses, and family members who wish to accompany them will be provided unified lodging. Also, have the Embroidered Uniform Guard send people to the Jiangnan region to seek out a renowned physician named Wu Youxing and bring him to the capital for an audience."

Wu Youxing was a landmark figure in the history of medicine. Historically, in the late Chongzhen period, plagues ran rampant across the realm—in the Southern and Northern Metropolitan Areas and the Shandong region, nine out of ten households perished. Often an entire lane of over a hundred families would see not a single one survive; whole clans of dozens of members would be wiped out without exception. Physicians all used prescriptions for treating typhoid fever, to no effect whatsoever.

Wu Youxing personally experienced every epidemic, accumulating rich data, then devoted himself to research. Based on his treatment experience, he wrote the completely new book *Treatise on Pestilence*. The theories he proposed regarding epidemics shattered traditional Chinese medicine's understanding and treatment of plagues, and he provided prescriptions such as Dayuan Decoction and Sanxiao Decoction, which achieved excellent therapeutic results.

This was true genius—he absolutely must be put to full use. He could provide Wu with a better platform, allowing his talents to be maximized.

After giving his instructions, Chongzhen went to the side hall to sleep.

In a household in the eastern part of the capital, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Li Banghua was eating his evening meal, joined at the table by his elderly wife and son.

Though honored as Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, his household was modest in scale—a two-courtyard compound. The front courtyard housed the old servant who had followed him for years along with his family, while Li Banghua's family of three lived in the rear courtyard. He had only one son and one daughter; his daughter had long since married, leaving only his elderly wife and his son Li Ruobin, who studied at the Imperial Academy. The son was already eighteen, diligent and studious since childhood with excellent grades. Last year he had passed the examination for government student status, and this autumn he planned to sit for the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination—barring unexpected circumstances, he should pass.

The son was already betrothed. His future in-laws were the family of Jin Xuan, a Bureau Secretary at the Ministry of War, whose youngest daughter was a gentle and mild-mannered girl. As long as the son passed this year's provincial examination, the wedding would take place next year.

The ancients observed the rule of not speaking during meals. After finishing dinner, Li Banghua went to his study to read as usual, while his son returned to his own room to review his studies.

Li Banghua was already sixty, having fathered a son late in life. He was quite satisfied with the boy—intelligent, fond of learning, steady and composed. He placed great hopes upon him.

Darkness had fallen, and the old servant had long since lit the candles. Li Banghua sat at his desk and picked up a book, but rather than reading, he sank into deep thought.

The times were turbulent. He had been singled out for promotion by His Majesty, elevated from the idle post of Right Vice Minister of Works in Nanjing to the position of Left Vice Censor-in-Chief. Though the ranks were nearly identical—both being the third grade—the difference in power was like heaven and earth. Since assuming office, he had not disappointed His Majesty's expectations, impeaching no small number of corrupt officials, yet the situation had not changed in the slightest because of his efforts.

The Great Ming now faced internal strife and external threats, like a small boat pitching in a storm, in danger of capsizing at any moment. Alas, His Majesty was intelligent and frugal, diligent in governance—just a bit impatient in temperament. He could only pray that this sage ruler could turn the tide and rescue the people from fire and flood.

While he was deep in thought, hurried footsteps sounded from outside. "Master, I have an urgent matter to report!" came the voice of the old servant Liu Zhong from beyond the door. Li Banghua said, "Come in."

Liu Zhong pushed open the door and entered, carrying a square wooden box about a foot in size. He had followed Li Banghua since childhood—now several decades—and though he was a servant, Li Banghua treated him no differently from family.

"Liu Zhong, what are you carrying?" Li Banghua asked with a frown.

As Left Vice Censor-in-Chief overseeing the surveillance of all officials, his authority was considerable. Many officials sent silver, land, and shops under various pretexts, but Li Banghua refused them all. One cannot correct others without being upright oneself—that was his principle. Seeing the wooden box, he assumed someone had again sent money or goods under cover of darkness, and felt displeased.

He had long since told his family that no gifts delivered to the door were to be accepted, no matter what they were. Why was Liu Zhong being so unreasonable this time? Just as he was about to lose his temper, Liu Zhong spoke: "Master, just now I was in the gatehouse when I heard someone knocking at the door outside. I opened the courtyard gate, but there was no one there. I only heard a voice from the darkness say something about 'evidence of the Earl of Sincerity's crimes,' and then I saw this wooden box before the door. I didn't dare make a decision on my own, so I came to ask you to decide!"

"Oh? Bring it here quickly!" Li Banghua said.

Liu Zhong handed over the wooden box. Li Banghua opened it to find several sheets of paper inside—apparently confessions or testimonies, for they bore red fingerprints at the bottom. As a high official of the Censorate, Li Banghua had participated in many joint hearings, so he understood at a glance.

He picked them up and rapidly flipped through them, scanning the contents. After a moment he finished reading and instructed: "You may go back. Do not let anyone know of this matter!" Liu Zhong acknowledged and withdrew.

After Liu Zhong closed the door and left, Li Banghua sat down and began to ponder. This was testimony of the Earl of Sincerity's mansion seizing property by force and fraud, causing deaths and crippling injuries. The evidence was ample, with victims' family members having affixed their fingerprints. The question was: who had sent this? Investigating such cases required means that ordinary people did not possess—it demanded superb methods and a great number of personnel. Could it be someone with a grudge against the Earl of Sincerity? That seemed unlikely, for civil officials could not keep vicious retainers—that would damage their reputations.

The meritorious nobles' power had greatly declined in recent times; at most they kept a few guards and thugs. They could not possibly command such extensive resources.

Military officers were growing increasingly arrogant by the day and looked down upon these declining aristocratic houses.

Who could have done this? Suddenly a thought stirred in his mind—he knew who it was. Only that organization possessed such formidable capability. But hadn't the Embroidered Uniform Guard been declining in recent years? Why had they suddenly become so diligent? Could it be the Emperor?

At this thought, Li Banghua's mind cleared completely. He quickly returned to his desk and sat down, picking up his brush to write rapidly on the memorial paper that had long been laid out. A quarter of an hour later, an impeachment memorial against the Earl of Sincerity was complete. Li Banghua picked up the memorial and read it through once more. Finding no omissions, he blew the ink dry, tucked the memorial into his sleeve, and went to his bedchamber to rest.

The next day around the Mao hour, Chongzhen awoke. Wang Cheng'en summoned maids to help him dress, then went to order the meal. Chongzhen stretched his legs and bent his waist, doing calisthenics.

The sun blazed down fiercely even in the early morning—dry and scorching. After only a little exercise, his freshly changed clothes were already soaked through, forcing him to bathe and change again.

After changing, Chongzhen felt refreshed and invigorated. By the time he had gone through the fuss and finished his morning meal, it was already the Chen hour. Just as he was about to instruct Wang Cheng'en to send someone to the Embroidered Uniform Guard with an edict, Li Erxi reported from outside that Luo Yangxing was requesting an audience.

After entering the hall and performing the rites, Luo Yangxing reported: "Your Majesty, I had someone deliver the letter to Li Banghua's residence last night. They left word and only departed after seeing his old servant carry the wooden box inside!"

"No one else saw anything?" Chongzhen asked lazily.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. My subordinates are meticulous in their work. Besides, it was late at night, and Vice Censor-in-Chief Li's doorstep has always been quiet—no one saw anything!" Luo Yangxing reported.

"Good. This matter was handled well. Once the Embroidered Uniform Guard rouses itself, I am quite satisfied with its efficiency! As it happens, I was just about to send for you—there are several matters I need you to handle!"

"I await Your Majesty's commands!"

Chongzhen repeated the several matters he had instructed Wang Cheng'en about the previous night, then added: "You must impress upon the guard stations in every region to be diligent and thorough. These matters bear upon my future arrangements—they could even affect the overall situation of suppressing bandits and the people's livelihood. Investigate carefully whether people truly have real ability; do not be negligent or perfunctory. Those who succeed and please me will not be denied promotion and reward!"

After Luo Yangxing swore oaths and accepted the commission, he was about to return to his office when Chongzhen, estimating that the court officials' memorials should have arrived at the Office of Transmission, told him to remain and await further instructions, then sent someone to fetch the memorials.

Chongzhen made idle conversation with Luo Yangxing. After a little under half an hour, Li Erxi and another young eunuch returned carrying a basket filled with memorials. Setting down the basket, Li Erxi took one from the very top and presented it to Chongzhen, reporting: "Your Majesty, this is the memorial from Vice Censor-in-Chief Li that you requested. This servant deliberately placed it on top!"

Chongzhen took it and gave him an approving look with a word of praise. Li Erxi beamed with joy, utterly delighted.

Chongzhen opened Li Banghua's memorial and gave it a rough skim—he already knew its contents well—then set it down after a glance.

He spoke: "Luo Yangxing, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

"I humbly await Your Majesty's decision!" Luo Yangxing dared not presume to decide for the Emperor, nor did he dare to respond, merely playing the obedient child.

Chongzhen pondered for some time, mulling over how to deal with this Earl of Sincerity.

As for seizing property by force and causing deaths—such things happened from time to time among the meritorious nobles. Though these nobles had gradually declined and the civil officials looked down on them—because for over a century their houses had produced no one of note—even their influence over military officers had grown increasingly weak.

Nominally, the meritorious nobles commanded the Capital Camps, but in ordinary times they only concerned themselves with amassing wealth and never bothered with training, leaving the several hundred thousand troops of the Capital Camps utterly devoid of combat capability. Even so, some still relied on their ancestors' legacy to act tyrannically, oppressing the good and honest, earning the worst reputations among the people.

The Earl of Sincerity's mansion in particular, after Liu Kongzhao inherited the title, was marked by one disgraceful deed after another, its conduct utterly shameless. Any shop he fancied, he would scheme by every means to seize, ruining many honest merchants and destroying their livelihoods.

His lands amounted to over a hundred thousand mu, a considerable portion acquired by forced purchase at low prices during natural disasters and man-made calamities. Historically, when Li Zicheng attacked Beijing and the Emperor hanged himself, many meritorious nobles opened their gates and surrendered, disregarding the Great Ming's over two hundred years of grace toward them.

"Transmit my oral edict: Liu Kongzhao, Earl of Sincerity, treated human life like grass, illegally seized others' property in enormous amounts, and stirred the people's fury! His title of Earl of Sincerity is hereby stripped. Those in his mansion who took lives shall be summarily executed! Property seized from good citizens shall, after verification, be returned in full to the victims! Remaining property shall be confiscated to the state, and his entire family exiled to Qiongzhou, with no pardon even upon general amnesty! Henceforth, any similar offenders shall be dealt with by this example—never lenient. The Embroidered Uniform Guard shall execute this!"

Wang Cheng'en was just about to go to the Grand Secretariat to transmit the edict when Chongzhen suddenly remembered the promise he had made while reviewing the Yongwei Camp yesterday. He called him back and instructed: "While you're there, have the Grand Secretariat draft an edict setting down in writing the commitments I made to the officers and soldiers of the Yongwei Camp yesterday, and after sealing it with the imperial seal, promulgate it throughout the realm." Wang Cheng'en accepted the commission, and Luo Yangxing followed him to the Grand Secretariat to receive the edict and carry out the task.