Chapter 147: Going Back on One's Word

Chongzhen and Zhu Cilang arrived together atop the Meridian Gate tower, where they saw the vast expanse of the Meridian Gate square packed with soldiers—the Yongwei Camp arrayed in formation, stretching all the way to the Chengtian Gate.

Gazing at the impeccably disciplined Yongwei Camp, and then at the Censors of all ranks bound up like dumplings before the Meridian Gate, anger began to rise steadily within Chongzhen's heart.

Sun Yingyuan saw the Emperor and Zhu Cilang appear atop the Meridian Gate; seeing that Zhu Cilang was unharmed, he immediately knelt on one knee and said, "Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

The Yongwei Camp's military discipline was strict and orderly; seeing their commander perform the salute, the officers and soldiers followed in unison, saluting and shouting, "Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Chongzhen felt some trepidation in his heart, but upon hearing the soldiers shouting for him, his heart was suddenly greatly reassured—it seemed the Yongwei Camp truly had no intention of forcing his abdication.

Zhu Cilang breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, thinking to himself that Sun Yingyuan's mind was truly quick—had it been that blockhead Huang Degong instead, he would probably have opened his mouth first demanding an explanation from the Emperor.

"Father, you see, the Yongwei Camp has not forced your hand—they still follow you, and remain your loyal Imperial Personal Guard! That the Imperial Personal Guard should be slandered as plotting treason—what kind of reasoning is that?"

Zhu Cilang was now flattering him with all his might, striving to turn a major matter into a minor one; fortunately Sun Yingyuan had the foresight to kneel and pay homage to the Emperor at this moment.

Chongzhen was considerably soothed by this bout of flattery, and nodded, saying, "Tell them to rise, and ask what it is they wish to do."

"Rise!" Cao Huachun called out in a loud voice: "His Majesty has spoken—he asks why you have come here?"

Cao Huachun had managed to survive in the palace for so many years without falling, making him something of an old hand—his comprehension and adaptability were extremely sharp, and his questioning was also very deliberate; had he opened his mouth and asked: Why are you forcing the Emperor's abdication? Do you not know that is a capital crime? Then the result would have been awkward indeed.

Sun Yingyuan said in a booming voice, "Our Yongwei Camp has fought bloody battles for the state, yet the Censors at court not only recklessly speak of erasing our military merits, but also grasp at shadows and fabricate charges against our loyal and righteous army! We refuse to accept this! We have now seized these treacherous ministers and present them for His Majesty to pass judgment!"

"We refuse to accept!"

"We refuse to accept!"

Over ten thousand armored soldiers of the Yongwei Camp raised their weapons and roared madly; the overwhelming sound reverberated through the entire Imperial City, striking fear into the heart.

Sweat was faintly forming on Chongzhen's forehead, yet he dared not raise a hand to wipe it away, afraid that others might see his nervousness.

Zhu Cilang was extremely satisfied with Sun Yingyuan's ability to control the scene—being able to manage an unplanned mutiny to this degree was already quite commendable. As long as they maintained their formidable fighting strength, he believed Chongzhen would not dare to move against them lightly; Zu Dashou was a living example.

Zhu Cilang said seriously, "Father, how should this be handled? Please give your instruction!"

Chongzhen greatly disliked this feeling of being passive; he felt himself being coerced, and snorted coldly, "Tell them to go back!"

Zhu Cilang immediately called out in a loud voice, "His Majesty has decreed that you return to camp at once, train hard, and serve the state loyally. As for other matters, His Majesty will see justice done for you!"

The meaning he conveyed was very clear: You return to camp first—the Emperor will not blame you; these Censors are left for the Emperor to handle. Do not overstep your authority.

Having said this, Zhu Cilang asked, "Father, do you think this will do?"

Chongzhen had been contending with the civil official faction for so many years that he too was something of a shrewd operator—how could he fail to hear the meaning behind Zhu Cilang's words?

Even if Chongzhen was now displeased with Zhu Cilang for speaking out of turn and taking initiative on his own, he could hardly refuse outright; the most important thing at present was to first get the Yongwei Camp back to their garrison—otherwise, with so many soldiers blocking the government office district and the Meridian Gate, it might truly escalate into a forced abdication.

"Mm!" Chongzhen nodded and gave a casual response.

Seeing him relent, Zhu Cilang finally breathed a sigh of relief, and waved his hand at Sun Yingyuan, signaling him to lead the troops back. Sun Yingyuan acknowledged the order and immediately commanded the entire army to have the front ranks turn to the rear and return to their garrison.

Watching the Yongwei Camp withdraw, everyone also breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, the Censors bound like dumplings before the Meridian Gate suddenly began wailing loudly, crying, "Your Majesty! You must see justice done for us!"

"Your Majesty! They killed Lord Tang—you must see justice done for us!"

Chongzhen on the tower listened to these shrill cries, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably several times, then suddenly said in a cold voice, "The Crown Prince remains under house arrest—confined to the inner palace, not permitted to set foot in the outer court! Summon the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, and the Left and Right Commissioners-in-Chief of the Shenshu Camp, Shenji Camp, and Five Armies Camps to the Huangji Hall for deliberation!"

Hearing this, Zhu Cilang's expression changed, and he said, "Father, the Yongwei Camp has rendered great service to the state—you cannot move against them!"

"Is there anyone in this realm I cannot move? Escort the Crown Prince back to the palace!" Chongzhen said only this with a cold face, then walked away without looking back.

How can he turn his face faster than turning the pages of a book! Besides, isn't there indeed someone in this realm you cannot move? And a whole group of them at that—like Hong Taiji, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, Zu Dashou, Zuo Liangyu...

Zhu Cilang's expression was extremely ugly, and his heart was filled with anxiety—court deliberation to deal with the Yongwei Camp? Are you not afraid of courting death!

Luo Yangxing, following behind Chongzhen, could now see it clearly—His Majesty was preparing to counterattack, and might even depose the Crown Prince. He stepped forward with a smile, extending his hand, and said, "Your Highness, please!"

Zhu Cilang looked at the triumphant Luo Yangxing, and his anger surged—he snorted coldly, "Get lost!"

The smile on Luo Yangxing's face gradually faded, turning very ugly, yet he still stood there without moving.

Xu Sheng, standing behind Zhu Cilang, stepped forward and said in a booming voice, "His Highness told you to get lost—are you deaf?"

"Xu Sheng! You—" Rebuked by Xu Sheng, Luo Yangxing's face alternated between green and red, extremely enraged.

"If you don't scram within three breaths, I'll cripple you!" Xu Sheng looked at him with cold eyes and barked, "Scram!"

Feeling the sharp killing intent emanating from Xu Sheng, Luo Yangxing's face turned pale. Though he had practiced martial arts, he had never been on a battlefield, and was nowhere near Xu Sheng's level. He shot Xu Sheng a venomous glare, then finally slunk away in disgrace.

"What a piece of trash! Still daring to prance about before me!" Zhu Cilang watched Luo Yangxing's retreating figure with contempt. He had to admit, this feeling of bullying others through one's power was truly satisfying.

Satisfying as it was, how exactly was the matter of the Yongwei Camp to be handled?

Zhu Cilang thought for a long time, then suddenly said in a deep voice, "Xu Sheng, send someone in secret to summon Huang Degong and Sun Yingyuan. Keep a firm grip on the Yongwei Camp—whoever dares to make a move, have no scruples, and kill freely!"

Zhu Cilang thought very clearly—all capital is built upon strength. If anyone wishes to touch his foundation, let them first weigh whether they possess such strength!

This was the worst-case plan. Zhu Cilang decided to play one more soft move—to request the two big figures of Cining Palace and Ciqing Palace to come forward.

Under the Emperor's urgent edict, the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, the Central Military Governor's Office, the Left Military Governor's Office, the Right Military Governor's Office, the Front Military Governor's Office, and the Rear Military Governor's Office—all civil and military officers gathered at the Huangji Hall, awaiting the Emperor's arrival.

All the ministers had learned of the Yongwei Camp's mutiny. They were somewhat surprised at this turn of events at first, then each began considering many things.

The civil officials were all speculating whether His Majesty would take the opportunity to depose the Crown Prince and then reorganize the Yongwei Camp—after all, the Crown Prince's power made everyone feel alarmed, and it must be eliminated without delay.

The Third Prince was also born of the Empress. Deposing the Crown Prince and establishing him as the new one might be the best arrangement, and would also align with the interests of the majority—the only question was whether the Emperor could bring himself to be so ruthless.

Wen Tiren's mood at this moment was extremely agitated. Losing one Tang Shiji in exchange for deposing the Crown Prince—such a trade was very worthwhile. As long as the Crown Prince fell, he could then free his hands to deal with those court officials much more easily.

Chongzhen was hurrying from the Wenhua Hall to the Huangji Hall to preside over the court deliberation when he encountered an old eunuch from Cining Palace on the way. The old eunuch, bent and hunched, saluted and said, "Your Majesty, the Consort Dowager requests that you grace Cining Palace with your presence."

"I know." Chongzhen furrowed his brow, but still acknowledged the request, then said to Wang Cheng'en, "Dismiss the ministers—we shall deliberate again tomorrow."

In the Huangji Hall, Wang Cheng'en publicly announced the Emperor's decree. The ministers exchanged glances, all feeling bewildered, not knowing what had happened now.

As the ministers were discussing amongst themselves and leaving the Huangji Hall, an unremarkable young eunuch quietly followed Wen Tiren. Near the old cypress by the Wenyuan Pavilion, he approached and whispered a few words before quickly departing.

"Cining Palace has always kept aloof from worldly affairs—why today..." Wen Tiren suddenly felt something was amiss, and felt it was very necessary to urge the Emperor to hold another court deliberation, to get the matter done as quickly as possible.

Monday, asking for votes.