Chapter 36: I'll Make You Take the Blame with Full Conviction

Empress Zhou had never concerned herself with matters of state, so whether this visit was her own idea or she had been persuaded by others, the Chongzhen Emperor's smile faded upon hearing her words, and he asked solemnly:

"Why not?"

Seeing the Chongzhen Emperor's expression change, Empress Zhou knew he was in a bad mood, and quickly bowed in salute, admitting her fault:

"The harem must not interfere in politics. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"I pardon you of all guilt."

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty. The Chengzu Emperor set the precedent of exterminating only one person's ten kin, yet Your Majesty now exterminates two persons' ten kin, implicating a great many people. If word spreads, it will damage the royal family's reputation."

"Moreover, that Luo An and Luo Sigong both rendered great service to several late emperors. Even if they had no merit, they had their toil. Why must Your Majesty cut them down without mercy?"

Based on past experience, Empress Zhou understood that once she raised matters of state, the Chongzhen Emperor would pull a long face regardless of his mood at the time, so she spoke with exceptional care.

"And there is Gong Dingzi — his disciples and old associates are not confined to the capital alone. If Your Majesty launches a great purge, resentment throughout the court will be hard to quell. Since Gong Dingzi and Luo Yangxing are already dead, would it not be better for Your Majesty to stop here and issue an edict granting amnesty to the rest?"

"In this way, you can both stabilize the court and display Your Majesty's heavenly grace — killing two birds with one stone."

"Nonsense! Utter feminine soft-heartedness!"

The Chongzhen Emperor gave a cold snort. Though not enraged, his expression grew increasingly grim. "The Luo clan rendered merit to the Great Ming, and the late Wanli Emperor personally bestowed upon them the plaque 'Chief Judge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard' in recognition. It is precisely because I keep these things in mind that I appointed Luo Yangxing as Director."

"But that Luo Yangxing served as Director for a full sixteen years, during which he loved forming cliques, wallowed in corruption, and wreaked havoc on the outer court. After I removed him, he bore a grudge and actually transferred away the imperial palace guards on his own authority! Had Fang Zhenghua not rescued me in time, I would not be sitting in this warm pavilion now. Empress — is that man deserving of death or not?"

Seeing the Empress left speechless, the Chongzhen Emperor continued:

"And that Gong Dingzi — his disciples are like household retainers kept by military officers. They blocked the depot and guard officers in the street, and over thirty of them grinned cheekily as they took turns beating the petition drum. Where is the royal dignity in that! Did they have this emperor in their eyes at all?"

"If it happens once and twice, it will happen a third and fourth time. If I do not crush them hard the first time, won't these traitorous rebels have their tails raised to the sky? If they come to pressure the throne again, how am I to respond?"

The Chongzhen Emperor vented the frustration in his chest like a string of firecrackers. Empress Zhou did not understand the severity of some matters at all, but upon hearing this, she realized she had been wrong.

After a long while, Empress Zhou's face was filled with melancholy as she bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, your servant acknowledges her guilt."

Before Empress Zhou could finish speaking, the Chongzhen Emperor personally rose and helped her up, saying with deep affection:

"What guilt does the Empress have? It is all my fault. I was too hasty just now and did not consider the Empress's feelings — I am the one who is guilty."

Empress Zhou's expression moved upon hearing this, and she threw herself into the Chongzhen Emperor's arms, crying out:

"Your Majesty!"

In the main hall of the Wei residence, Wei Zaode was meeting with Wang Cheng'en, the Director of the Eastern Depot.

Strange to say, such a meeting ought by rights to be conducted furtively under cover of darkness — after all, eunuchs colluding with powerful court ministers was a capital crime — yet this time Wang Cheng'en had come in full fanfare, as if afraid others might not notice.

Wei Zaode was a slippery eel. A moment's thought told him there were only two possibilities: either Wang Cheng'en's visit was at the emperor's behest, or he wanted to probe Wei Zaode's views on the day's execution supervision.

Once the two had taken their seats as host and guest, Wei Zaode waved his hand and said:

"Someone, serve tea to the Depot Director."

Wang Cheng'en did not refuse. He lowered his head to glance at the set of Yixing purple-clay tea ware the servant had laid out, then looked around at the decor and furnishings, and understood that Wei Zaode had already hidden away all his valuables in advance. He smiled mischievously and said:

"This Nanjing Yuhua tea is not bad, but for the dignified Chief Grand Secretary, Grand Secretary Wei, to be drinking Yuhua tea — is that not a bit shabby?"

Wei Zaode did not understand what Wang Cheng'en was playing at, and said coolly:

"Yuhua tea cultivates the body and nurtures the spirit, and is deeply beloved by Jiangnan scholars. Its price is modest. As Chief Grand Secretary, I naturally must lead by example... If the Depot Director has something to say, say it plainly. The night is deep, and it is hardly convenient for the two of us to sit and talk at length."

"No rush, no rush. Let me savor it slowly." Wang Cheng'en calmly listened to Wei Zaode's bout of self-praise, then picked up the teapot and took a small sip, saying as if casually:

"The fragrance is clear and faint; one cup leaves fragrance lingering between the teeth; the flavor is mellow and rich, with a sweet aftertaste. Color, aroma, and taste all complete — truly a superior product. Fine tea, fine tea!"

At this point, Wang Cheng'en suddenly seemed to remember something and said to the steward:

"I recall that the Grand Secretary's residence has more than one type of tea, does it not? That Yunnan pu'er, and the Suzhou Biluochun, and also... why not bring those out to entertain a guest?"

The steward was startled — was this Wang Cheng'en's first visit? How could he know exactly how many kinds of tea were in the residence? The steward could not answer for a moment and could only look at Wei Zaode with a questioning gaze.

Having been given a show of force, Wei Zaode said coldly: "Depot Director, I know full well the prowess of your Eastern Depot agents. No need for beating around the bush — if you have something to say, say it outright!"

"Since the Grand Secretary is so impatient, I shall speak plainly." Wang Cheng'en drained the Yuhua tea in the pot in one gulp, smacked his lips with lingering satisfaction, and said:

"The two traitors Gong Dingzi and Luo Yangxing who plotted to assassinate the emperor have already been executed, so that matter is past. Now His Majesty's intention is to conduct a full screening of the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Northern Brocade Guard."

"You screen your Embroidered Uniform Guard — what does that have to do with me?" Wei Zaode furrowed his brow, thinking this matter was not simple, and quickly tried to decline.

"Wait until I finish! His Majesty wishes to swap the personnel of the Northern and Southern Brocade Guards. To avoid trouble, this matter needs the Grand Secretary to raise it at tomorrow's court deliberation, so His Majesty can directly approve it. That way, the matter becomes much simpler."

"What? Swapping personnel between the Northern and Southern Brocade Guards? This, this — there has never been a precedent for such a thing. How could the other ministers possibly agree?" Wei Zaode stood up from his chair, his face full of shock.

Wasn't this blatantly asking him to willingly take the blame? The Donglin Faction feared the depot and guard like tigers, and he was no different. Who knew how many hidden spies lurked in his own residence? Wouldn't this be lifting a rock to drop it on his own feet?

If he were to propose it himself, as Chief Grand Secretary, with the emperor's approval he could directly stamp and issue the edict — but then the blame would fall entirely on his own shoulders. Wouldn't those Donglin members tear him apart alive?

The Chongzhen Emperor had issued edicts personally more than once before — why did he insist that Wei Zaode raise this matter himself this time?

Seeing Wei Zaode's expression shifting unpredictably, Wang Cheng'en suddenly shouted sternly:

"Wei Zaode! His Majesty knows full well all the dirty deeds you've done. Since he can keep you alive, he can just as easily exterminate your nine kin. Know your place!"

"Do you know what those Donglin members said about you after today's execution supervision?"

Wei Zaode instinctively looked over and asked:

"What did they say?"

Wang Cheng'en said: "Heh heh, they all say you are the current emperor's lackey, that you fear the depot and guard, that you betrayed your teacher and abandoned your friends — a dyed-in-the-wool member of the eunuch faction."

As Wang Cheng'en spoke, watching Wei Zaode grow increasingly fearful and uneasy, he comforted him:

"Under the present circumstances, the only one in this entire court who can protect you is His Majesty — there is no second person. I've said my piece, Grand Secretary. Think carefully about where your future lies!"

Wang Cheng'en then swaggered off. The steward looked at his master's dazed expression and asked worriedly:

"Master—?"

Wei Zaode waved his hand feebly and muttered to himself:

"Enough, enough. What Wang Cheng'en said is right — if I were to lose the depot and guard, I fear I would be dead in my home this very night."