Chapter 128: Rehabilitation

In truth, these people were discussing matters here in pleasant-sounding terms, but the main purpose was not trivial affairs — rather, Wang Cheng'en and the others were, following the Chongzhen Emperor's wishes, probing out the intentions of Ni Yuanlu and Jiang Dejing.

After the Donglin Faction members dispersed, this group of so-called royalist faction members chatted about this and that in the side hall, only gradually dispersing by the you hour.

Setting aside what Ni Yuanlu and Jiang Dejing did after returning to their residences, after they dispersed, Wang Cheng'en returned alone to the Winter Warm Pavilion and saw the Chongzhen Emperor standing alone by the window with his hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought — his heart ached with sorrow.

"Your Majesty, both Ni Yuanlu and Jiang Dejing have said they are willing to be loyal to the imperial cause. Your Majesty may rest assured."

Wang Cheng'en had said this hoping to provide some comfort, but the Chongzhen Emperor responded with a cold laugh. He did not say much else of note, speaking to himself instead:

"Cheng'en, I have just been reviewing old archives and discovered that a number of loyal and meritorious officials who served the court have yet to be rehabilitated, while the true culprits still roam free. Therefore, I intend to issue an edict to rehabilitate some people."

Wang Cheng'en's heart brightened for a moment, then immediately tightened. He hurriedly said:

"May I ask whom Your Majesty refers to?"

"In the Tianqi years, although Zhang Juzheng had his reputation restored by the Xizong Emperor, he was never truly rehabilitated. There is also Lu Xiangsheng, who died in battle at Julu in the twelfth year, Sun Chuanting, who died at Tongguan in the sixteenth year, and Mao Wenlong, who was killed on forged orders by Yuan Chonghuan."

"Also, Yuan Chonghuan should be rehabilitated as well — the affairs after his death should also be settled by now..."

As he spoke, the Chongzhen Emperor's words carried deep self-reproach. "All of this is my fault. In the past, I had not weathered storms, and was blinded by those spineless Donglin partisans, unable to see how Junior Guardian Lu and Sun Boya devoted themselves utterly to the court. But now I see everything clearly."

Wang Cheng'en was more than just a worm in the Chongzhen Emperor's belly — to him, he had raised the Chongzhen Emperor as his own son since the Emperor's days in the princely manor. How could he fail to hear the murderous intent that suddenly emerged in the Emperor's final words?

Sure enough, the Chongzhen Emperor's next words were:

"I have just thought it through. Besides rehabilitating a number of ministers, I must also settle both old and new accounts. Gao Qiqian is still in the capital, is he not?"

"To answer Your Majesty, he is residing comfortably in the capital." Wang Cheng'en bowed.

"Hmph. Had he not been so capable, Lu Xiangsheng would not have died so easily at Julu." The Chongzhen Emperor laughed coldly, then said gravely:

"The Eastern Depot, the Inner Depot, and the Western Depot are not to interfere in this matter. Send word to Li Ruolian and have the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrest Gao Qiqian overnight and bring him to the Western Market. Anyone found to have connections with him is to be apprehended as well. They will be executed at the mao hour tomorrow. I want all the people to see what happens to those who frame the loyal martyrs of the Great Ming!"

In history, many of those the Chongzhen Emperor had just intended to rehabilitate — Sun Chuanting among them — did not receive their due honors until after the Manchus entered the passes. Even Lu Xiangsheng was only posthumously honored during the Southern Ming period.

Moreover, some people never received their due honors throughout both the Ming and Qing dynasties — this cannot but evoke sighs of regret.

But now the situation was different. He had transmigrated into the body of the historical Chongzhen Emperor, and the capital region had finally stabilized. He could not let these people and the empire's soldiers be disheartened — all matters that ought to be handled had to be handled.

Many things had happened last night. In comparison, the Chongzhen Emperor's execution and confiscation of five ministers' estates in succession at the Winter Warm Pavilion had become a trivial matter that no one would mention again.

Early the next morning, since the Chongzhen Emperor had issued an edict restoring the morning court, court officials rose from their homes as usual and headed to Huangji Hall for court. But no sooner had they stepped out their doors than they saw crowds of commoners running toward the Western Market with joyful faces.

Upon inquiring, the court officials were even more shocked.

This Emperor's ways were unfathomable. Emperors of every generation of the Great Ming had executed criminals at bustling locations like the Four Western Archways, but since the seventeenth year of Chongzhen, the location had been changed to Caishikou, where commoners gathered.

To watch the executions, many itinerant merchants, nobles, ministers, and even wealthy merchants had to condescend to stand together with the common folk at the vegetable market — for only thus could they obtain news that could not be heard within their mansions.

"Have you heard? His Majesty has rehabilitated Junior Guardian Lu and Sun Chuanting!"

"Indeed! This rehabilitation isn't just for those two — even the merits and faults of Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong have been written up. Word is they've already been enshrined in the Temple of Loyal Martyrs. When we have time, we must go see!"

"That goes without saying. Commander Mao was loyal and brave in battle, while Yuan Chonghuan colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country — how can they be mentioned in the same breath?"

"What you say isn't right. I rather think Commissioner Yuan wasn't the type to collude with the enemy and betray his country."

"Enough, all of you shut up — the execution is about to begin. The court has already reached a public verdict on such matters. What are you two common folk still arguing about!"

"True enough..."

"Whose head are they cutting off, with such a commotion?" Dang Chongya, the investigating censor heading to Shandong, carried his luggage and had intended to inquire what was happening on his way out of the city — but was startled instead.

Yesterday, when he had requested Chen Qiyu's execution at the Winter Warm Pavilion, he had actually been acting on the instructions of a certain high official at court. After seeing the furious Chongzhen Emperor, he had thought himself doomed — yet this was the outcome.

From Vice Minister of Revenue to investigating censor — in terms of rank, authority, and status, it was a clear demotion, not to mention this transfer from the capital to the provinces.

A poor place like Shandong was not so easy to go to. Word had it that among the military officers who had answered the summons to defend the capital this year but did not enter it, besides Zuo Liangyu, this Liu Zeqing was the most arrogant and domineering, relying on his military power to commit all sorts of crimes.

Moreover, a large province like Shandong was not like the nine frontier garrisons. The families of border troops mostly remained in the capital, and with reasons such as pay distribution and the edict of self-blame, a single imperial decree could easily replace a Regional Commander — no one would be foolish enough to rebel.

But Shandong was different. Besides the properly appointed Regional Commander Liu Zeqing, there were four or five Regional Commanders of miscellaneous titles — some heeded the court's commands, while others acted independently and turned a deaf ear.

Not to mention the countless military officers stirring up trouble everywhere who did not even obey Liu Zeqing's orders — these people were in effect warlords.

Beyond the court's regular troops, Shandong was also the lair of the Wenxiang sect, a branch of the White Lotus sect. All manner of heretical sects and roving bandits rose and fell there, while local plutocrats built fortified stockades to protect themselves — it was utter chaos.

Last night, Dang Chongya had thought all night at home, and suddenly realized that the previous Shandong investigating censor had been dead for three years — and to this day, no one even knew how he had died.

Dang Chongya felt that Liu Zeqing must have had something to do with it. His own departure from the capital for Shandong would surely bring no good fruit — those crude military men were not ones to play games with you.

"By your appearance, sir, you look like a refined scholar?" The man questioned was not shy with strangers, and immediately smiled and asked in return.

For reasons unknown, Dang Chongya did not reveal that he was a court official, but merely smiled and spoke in riddles to muddle through, asking question after question.

Seeing that Dang Chongya had no intention of saying more, the man thought to himself that there was no need to ask further, and turned to say:

"I only heard this morning that His Majesty has rehabilitated many loyal martyrs. Not only that — the Embroidered Uniform Guard raided Gao Qiqian's residence last night. The one waiting up there on the platform for death right now is him!"

"Yes indeed — how satisfying!"

"His Majesty is a sage ruler. Fortune for the state, fortune for the people!"

As the executioner on the platform began to move, the surrounding crowd's shouts reached a climax, wave after wave. Some even spat at Gao Qiqian and threw vegetable leaves at him — clearly they loathed this great eunuch who had once enjoyed imperial favor to the utmost.

Gao Qiqian had nothing to say for himself. Though he had wet his pants in fear, in the end he fell beneath the executioner's blade without any suspense, just like the many Donglin partisans before him.

Dang Chongya was a man of letters — when had he ever seen such bloodshed? The sight was horrifying to behold. He hurried to the side of the street, braced himself against the wall, and took several deep breaths before recovering.

When he raised his head, he happened to see a notice posted by the Five Wards Troops and Horses Office hanging right before him. Stunned like a wooden chicken, he murmured:

"... Posthumously conferring upon Lu Xiangsheng the titles of Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent and Minister of War, with the posthumous name 'Loyal and Fierce'; posthumously conferring upon Sun Chuanting the titles of Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent and Minister of War, with the posthumous name 'Loyal and Serene'; posthumously restoring Zhang Juzheng's titles of Minister of Personnel and Grand Preceptor, with the posthumous name 'Cultured and Upright'; posthumously conferring upon Mao Wenlong the titles of Left Pillar of the State, Left Commissioner-in-Chief of the Five Armies Regional Commander's Office, and Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, with the posthumous name 'Loyal and Brave'..."