Chapter 64: Using Running Dogs to Replace the Pure Stream

"Director, what should we do?"

Seeing Wang Cheng'en deep in thought, Li Youcheng immediately lost his composure, his face also showing difficulty.

After all, like Xu Xianchun under Wei Zhongxian, he was merely a dog serving the Son of Heaven; when it truly came to a critical moment, it was never his place to make the decisions.

After a long while, as if having made up his mind about something, Wang Cheng'en rose and straightened his python robe, then said solemnly:

"The Xie woman is useless now. Youcheng, you continue interrogating Li Shancai for now. Have Gao Wencai accompany me into the palace to face His Majesty!"

Li Youcheng couldn't understand why Wang Cheng'en would bring Gao Wencai along to see His Majesty, and felt somewhat displeased inside, but he still dared not show the slightest hint of it, and said with a fawning smile:

"This subordinate understands. I await the Director's good news!"

Hearing the words 'good news,' Wang Cheng'en chuckled. This audience with the Emperor was fraught with unprecedented danger—whether it would be good news or disaster depended entirely on whether the current Son of Heaven could render a wise judgment.

Before long, Wang Cheng'en, Gao Wencai, and a group of trusted agents arrived at the Donghua Gate. While conversing with the Capital Camps Company Commander guarding the gate, they happened to encounter Hui'an Earl Zhang Qingzhen who was leaving the city.

Both parties were in a hurry with their own affairs, exchanged a few pleasantries, and passed each other by.

"That Wu Youke said he alone is insufficient—the Western Depot agents are fine for manual labor but know nothing of medicine and are of no use in treating the plague, so he wants to bring a famous physician surnamed Yuan into the Capital Camps."

"Wu Youke also said the Imperial Academy of Medicine are all quacks, and that he and Yuan Ban know quite a few itinerant physicians in the capital who will need to assist."

"In all these years, this is the first time I've heard of refusing the Imperial Academy of Medicine's assistance and instead relying on those swindling itinerant quacks."

Cao Huachun, Director of the Western Depot, was at that moment in the Winter Warm Pavilion reporting on the plague treatment progress to the Chongzhen Emperor. Judging by his demeanor, he seemed unimpressed with Wu Youke's methods, believing the man knew absolutely nothing and was simply muddling about.

Soon, Cao Huachun spoke:

"Your Majesty, this servant has some rough knowledge of medicine. Wu Youke's prescription contains rhubarb—rhubarb is a general's medicine. Quite a few soldiers have been suffering from diarrhea for days after taking it, growing terribly weak. This servant believes this Wu Youke—"

Before he could finish, the Chongzhen Emperor waved his hand and said:

"I trust Wu Youke, and I trust that Yuan Ban as well. Let the two of them do as they see fit. I don't want to hear such talk again in the future, understood?"

Seeing the Emperor's angry expression, Cao Huachun immediately fell silent and bowed:

"This servant understands!"

"Cao Huachun, remember this: the Western Depot's most important task in the near future is to ensure Wu Youke and Yuan Ban's plague treatment goes smoothly. Nothing is more important than this! Protect Wu Youke, Yuan Ban, and the families of those itinerant physicians they've brought in. If anyone dares to scheme against them, don't waste words—arrest them directly!"

Seeing how much the Emperor trusted Wu Youke, Cao Huachun, though unable to find any angle, understood this was not the time to say more and hurriedly bowed, repeatedly acknowledging the imperial decree.

Suddenly, the voice of Li Chun, the eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial outside the door, came through:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Eunuch Wang says he has urgent matters to present to Your Majesty!"

"Summon him!"

Before long, Wang Cheng'en walked in. After completing his formal greetings, he recounted everything he knew in full detail, then stood quietly, waiting for the Chongzhen Emperor's eruption.

Hearing all this, even Cao Huachun broke out in a cold sweat—telling all of this to an Emperor already in a rage, wouldn't that turn the capital into a river of blood?

If heads truly started rolling, would those Donglin literati ever let the matter rest!

The two waited for a long while, yet heard none of the expected fury. Looking up, they saw the Chongzhen Emperor sitting there with extraordinary composure, asking him:

"Is there anything else?"

Wang Cheng'en, no longer able to afford being surprised, quickly said:

"In reply to Your Majesty, that's all for now. The Eastern Depot is still investigating."

"Heh, guard against everything day and night, yet still the thief within the house is hardest to defend against! Even at a time like this, that Western Li still refuses to change her ways. A woman with such a viper's heart—what use is there in keeping her!"

"And that Zheng Sanjun—ah, forget it, I don't want to say more."

The Chongzhen Emperor waved his hand feebly, truly weary at heart. If they kept pursuing connections at this rate, he feared nearly half the court would have to be killed off—where would it ever end?

Suddenly thinking of something, the Chongzhen Emperor asked:

"If I remember correctly, Feng Quan is currently idle at his home in Zhuozhou, isn't he? Issue the decree: have him come to the capital and be restored to his former post, appointed as Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion at the fifth rank, entering the Grand Secretariat to assist in governance. Also summon Wang Shaowei to the capital to see me."

The Emperor's intent could not be clearer. Wang Cheng'en had come prepared for a desperate gamble, yet unexpectedly encountered a stroke of good fortune—truly beyond his expectations.

The Chongzhen Emperor of today was no longer what he once was. He had come to understand the arts of imperial balance and control, breaking through the Donglin Faction's habitual tricks with sheer force—truly the manner of an enlightened sovereign!

Feng Quan was a Grand Secretary during the Tianqi era. He knew how to take the blame for the Emperor and knew how to wield his pen to impeach the civil officials the Emperor wished removed—a staunch member of the eunuch faction.

Feng Quan's entry into the Grand Secretariat to assist in governance was actually a good thing for Wei Zaode as well. Wei Zaode was currently taking blame everywhere; had the Emperor and the depot guards not deliberately protected him, he would likely have met an untimely end long ago.

Though Wei Zaode held the position of Chief Grand Secretary, he stood alone in the Grand Secretariat without support. With Feng Quan returning to the Grand Secretariat this time, he too would surely be in desperate need of allies. The two serving the Emperor together, both as loyalists to the throne, could naturally look out for each other.

And that Wang Shaowei—during the Tianqi years he had risen to Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, also a staunch member of the eunuch faction.

Now that Minister of Personnel Zheng Sanjun had been found to be colluding with Consort Li Kang in plotting against the Emperor, the Emperor summoning Wang Shaowei to the capital very likely meant he intended to employ him to replace Zheng Sanjun.

This was tremendous good news for Wang Cheng'en and the depot guards, but for the Donglin Faction, it marked the beginning of the end of their unchallenged dominance at court.

The Ministry of Personnel governed the appointment, evaluation, promotion, ennoblement, and transfer of all civil officials throughout the realm—extremely important, and long controlled by the Donglin Faction. If Wang Shaowei were to retake charge of the Ministry of Personnel, the eunuch faction would benefit, and for the Emperor it was hardly a bad thing either.

"Have you all heard? That fatuous ruler has let Feng Quan into the Grand Secretariat to assist in governance, and has also summoned Wang Shaowei to the capital. Both are members of the eunuch faction—who would have thought they'd have their day of resurgence!"

"This move is simply outrageous!"

"Hmph, this Great Ming Dynasty will sooner or later be destroyed by that fatuous ruler's hands!"

At the Zheng residence, a group of Donglin ministers who had heard the news immediately gathered together.

The reinstatement of Feng Quan and Wang Shaowei served as a warning to them: the Chongzhen Emperor was dead set on reviving the eunuch faction. As upright Donglin scholars, how could they sit idly by and watch such chaos return?

At a time like this, they could no longer concern themselves with the depot guards scattered throughout the capital—they needed to discuss a plan immediately.

"Quiet, everyone, quiet." Zheng Sanjun, dressed in casual attire, first rose and clasped his hands toward the officials below before speaking:

"The current Son of Heaven is benighted, doting on the eunuch faction. The situation in the capital has become as volatile as fire and water. Once those two villains Feng and Wang enter the capital and succeed, we are all doomed. You must promptly notify your own protégés—surround the Imperial City and remonstrate unto death!"

"Feng Quan and Wang Shaowei are only the beginning. I am certain that after this, that little Chongzhen brat will recall more eunuch faction members like Li Yangde and Lü Chunru to the capital for employment, replacing us pure-stream officials. When that time comes, what will all of you do?"

"Right, right, well said! We scholars are all of the pure stream, daring to be first in the world. With the Son of Heaven so fatuous, if we do not remonstrate unto death, how can we call ourselves servants of state!" A Censor rose in indignation, looking for all the world like another self-proclaimed righteous and outspoken minister of integrity.

The officials were seething with passion, but only Zheng Sanjun wore a deep, grave expression as he said quietly:

"I will write a letter to be sent to Nanjing, informing Elder Qian of this matter. And the connections all of you have among the literati and merchant circles—it's time to put them to use."

"If we wait until Feng Quan and Wang Shaowei enter the capital, it will be too late!"