Chapter 130: Dark Winds, Dark Skies, Evil Full to the Brim

The sun blazed overhead.

One after another, Secretariat clerks, drenched in sweat, sprinted from the Western Garden to various ministries.

As if infected by the atmosphere within the Forbidden City today, their expressions were all urgent.

Each clutched copies of edicts transcribed by the Six Censorates, moving as if their feet were propelled by wind.

The Grand Secretariat was currently deliberating with the Emperor in the Western Garden, directly drafting imperial decrees; Secretariat clerks and the Six Censorates produced the edicts on the spot.

Such furious urgency drew countless eyes fixed upon it.

From the moment the imperial envoy's murder reached the capital, the city's situation had boiled over, and silt rose to the surface.

Within the bureaucracy, any news transmitted through proper channels could never be concealed.

Especially when it originated from the provinces.

This morning, nearly every ministry had secretly discussed the matter, even under the restraint of their superiors, still gathering privately to whisper.

But since each knew only fragments, their reconstructions inevitably distorted the truth.

Their words were rife with fabrication and exaggeration.

Some claimed thousands of elite troops stormed the Provincial Administration Office and beheaded the provincial governor.

Others spoke of bandits gathering en masse in the provinces, declaring themselves kings and raising rebel banners—details so vivid they seemed real.

Especially the Secretariat clerks in the Imperial Edict Office and the Drafting Office, hurrying about, further amplified this tense atmosphere, seemingly confirming the suspicions of the observing officials.

The edicts were all dispatched to the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate.

But the copies transcribed by the Six Censorates and sent to each ministry and bureau were certainly no fewer.

Minister of Rites Zhang Zhang Suiwei was currently deliberating in the Grand Secretariat.

The edicts naturally reached the hands of Vice Minister Zhu Zhu Dashou.

He stared in shock at the edicts in his hands.

Each edict was more severe than the last!

At first, it had merely been an investigation.

"Order the Censorate Inspector Shu Ao to compile a full report on the events preceding and following the murders of Tang Bin and Zhang Chucheng, and submit it."

Then came accusations.

"For the crimes of the Linxiang County mine bandits and the Niujiaojian river pirates, dismiss and arrest Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao, Garrison Commander of Dongting, Chen Xiao, Commandant of River Patrol, and Ji Ji Ruzhi, Assistant Military Commissioner, pending trial!"

Minor officials were unworthy of a second glance from the central court.

But what followed directly targeted provincial governors!

The edicts against Provincial Governor Zhao Prince Xian and Provincial Administration Commissioner Chen Rui arrived together, now clutched in Zhu Zhu Dashou's hands.

Their contents were even more incendiary.

"Huguang's mine laborers have gathered in the thousands, murdered officials, and rebelled without restraint—who can tolerate this!? Zhao Prince Xian, Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Huguang, entrusted with military command, showed no foresight, brought ruin to the region, and now it is too late to regret! Order him to return to the capital immediately to face investigation!"

"In Huguang, bandits run rampant—this must stem from neglect of governance, indulgence of evil, leading to the people's suffering and rebellion! Chen Rui, Right Administrator of Huguang, holds office without merit, is idle and incompetent, and bears undeniable guilt! Order him to return to the capital immediately, bearing his crimes!"

One provincial governor, one administration commissioner—no face spared, ordered straight back to the capital to await punishment; such fury revealed the Emperor's and Grand Secretariat's thunderous rage!

Yet Zhu Zhu Dashou's shock was not over the punishment of the governor and commissioner.

Though both had only been appointed late last year—barely half a year—and their involvement could not be deep, they seemed merely incompetent, unable to control the region—after all, the depth of local entrenchment was plain to see.

But at this point, no one with even a hint of suspicion could be spared; the Grand Secretariat and Emperor's stance was only natural.

What horrified him was the charge—murder and rebellion!?

What exactly had the Grand Secretariat's ministers discussed with the Emperor in Gu Chengguang Hall!?

Were they truly going to pursue this charge with sweeping, vine-like connections!?

Zhu Zhu Dashou could not help but seize the edicts and stride quickly to the office of Vice Minister Ma Ma Ziqiang: "Tikan."

Ma Ma Ziqiang was also reading the edicts just copied by the Six Censorates; he glanced once and understood why Zhu Zhu Dashou had come.

He raised a hand in a calming gesture: "Duanfu, calm yourself."

Zhu Zhu Dashou remained unable to suppress his unease: "Tikan, right now the charge of rebellion only reaches the bandits—but if anything is truly uncovered, this may become a bloodbath!"

The nature of the charge mattered immensely.

If it were merely banditry, they could close the case first, then slowly unravel who was involved later—perhaps assign minor charges afterward.

This could also prevent a false coincidence, or deter those unwilling to dig deeper.

But now, from the outset, it is outright rebellion—no room left at all!

No matter what, it must be pursued to the end! Whoever is found, no mercy!

Such fierce action!

Ma Ma Ziqiang shook his head: "Perhaps they want precisely this—to pursue it to the end. This matter must become a bloodbath."

Who hasn't served in the provinces?

Court ministers all rose step by step; most had even served as provincial governors.

The Grand Secretariat's ministers had countless disciples and former subordinates, many of them provincial commanders and heads of the Three Boards; once this erupted, all were outraged—what if it happened to them?

The pressure on the Grand Secretariat ministers was unimaginable.

Not to mention the aftermath.

If this is allowed to stand, others will follow suit; imperial edicts will never leave Beijing again!

In the future, when land surveys and tax reforms come, will they all require imperial envoys to be sacrificed?

No matter how one considers it, assassination politics must be crushed with all force.

Labeling it rebellion from the start is, in fact, perfectly reasonable.

Zhu Zhu Dashou could not help but worry: "It's not about whether it should or shouldn't be done—I fear they'll panic and drive the provinces into chaos."

If the tone had been softened, leaving room, it might have lulled them into complacency.

Then, slowly unraveling the case, stabilizing the situation before capturing the masterminds—only then could one freely order executions and confiscations.

What one fears most is acting too fiercely from the start, truly forcing men to raise rebel banners, leaving endless troubles.

Ma Ma Ziqiang paused his movements upon hearing his colleague's words.

He looked up at Zhu Zhu Dashou and said with deep meaning: "Duanfu, perhaps you do not yet know."

"Before His Majesty summoned the Grand Secretariat ministers to Gu Chengguang Hall, he first received Wu Wu Jinghe, Director of the Imperial Clan Court."

As Zhang Zhang Suiwei's in-law and a pillar of the Jin Faction, his information was naturally far more reliable than Zhu Zhu Dashou's.

Zhu Zhu Dashou froze: "Wu Wu Jinghe?"

The moment he spoke, he realized it instantly!

Director of the Imperial Clan Court! The Emperor summoned the Imperial Clan Court over Huguang's affair—this could not be without purpose!

Is there truly a connection—or is this merely a deliberate attempt to implicate them!?

Ma Ma Ziqiang nodded: "So this charge of rebellion—if missed now, may never come again. This Emperor's heart is black indeed!"

He belonged to the Jin Faction, outside the immediate fray, and thus saw more clearly.

The nature of the charge was a signal.

Few in Huguang were worth such a signal from the Emperor and Grand Secretariat.

Gentry, military officers—even the lowest-ranking—did not merit fabricating charges; whether banditry or rebellion, it made no difference.

Only provincial governors and certain figures registered in the Imperial Clan Court were worth such an immediate, unyielding signal.

Zhu Zhu Dashou fell into thought.

At that moment, a junior clerk knocked on the door.

Seeing both vice ministers present, he saved himself a trip and said: "Your Excellencies, His Majesty has summoned Sun Yi, Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, to the palace."

Both men were stunned, exchanging glances.

…

Entering the palace through the Meridian Gate, the distance to the Western Garden was considerable.

Sun Yi followed Li Jin, glancing around.

Seeing no one nearby, he pulled a gold ingot from his sleeve, stepped close to Li Jin, and slipped the gold into Li Jin's sleeve.

"Your Excellency, I do not wish to put you in an awkward position—just tell me why His Majesty summoned me."

Imperial eunuchs, accompanied by Embroidered Uniform Guard, had forcibly brought him into the palace—who wouldn't be terrified?

Most nerve-wracking of all was not knowing the reason!

Corruption?

Wasn't it said that offenses before the first year of Emperor Wanli would be pardoned?

Though he had taken a few more bribes since, it hardly warranted such a drastic move.

Or had he been impeached?

Then he should have been ordered to submit a petition for resignation—not summoned to the palace!

Could it be that the Huguang noble who gave him gifts is truly involved…?

Thinking of this, Sun Yi frightened himself further.

He thought: if only he could spend a little silver now to ease his mind.

That was why he kept pressing the gold ingot into the eunuch's hand.

After Li Jin secretly slipped the gold into his sleeve, Sun Yi finally exhaled deeply.

Indeed, no eunuch was immune to gold.

He whispered: "Your Excellency, why did His Majesty summon me?"

Just as he expected Li Jin to lean in for a confidential whisper, Li Jin stepped briskly forward, putting distance between them.

As if nothing had happened at all.

Sun Yi froze for a moment, then quickly regained his composure.

You eunuch dog, how dare you!

I, the Prefect of Shuntian, am at least one of the Nine Minor Ministers! How could you deceive me like this!

Sun Yi seethed inwardly, but at this critical moment, he had no recourse.

The fury of being deceived, combined with anxiety over the Emperor's unknown intentions, made Sun Yi even more agitated and uneasy.

In this tormenting state of mind, Sun Yi followed Li Jin all the way to Gu Chengguang Hall.

As soon as Li Jin led him into Gu Chengguang Hall, before he even saw anyone, he heard the Emperor's youthful yet loud voice.

"I have entrusted state affairs to the Grand Secretariat; this matter is no exception. Gentlemen, recommend candidates directly."

Sun Yi slowed his steps and quietly lifted his head to glance.

There, the Emperor, dressed in everyday robes, stood with his back to the ministers, fiddling with a screen.

The three Grand Secretaries, along with Zhang Zhang Sihui, the Minister of Rites acting on behalf of Yang Bo in handling Grand Secretariat affairs, stood in a line facing the Emperor, bowing respectfully.

Beside them, Zheng Zheng Zongxue, the Imperial Secretariat official stationed at Wanshou Palace, wrote furiously.

Shen Li, the Hanlin Academy examiner, quietly arranged memorials inside the hall.

Sun Yi was instructed by the eunuch to stand at the back, so he stepped aside, leaving him visibly flustered.

None of those in the hall paid any attention to Sun Yi—not even a single extra glance.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng spoke in a deep voice: "Promote Xu Xu Xuemo, Vice Commissioner of Huguang, to Right Commissioner of Huguang."

Sun Yi kept his head down, staring at Zhang Zhang Juzheng's back. He knew well that Xu Xu Xuemo had been promoted by Zhang Zhang Juzheng to the Huguang Surveillance Commission.

Thus, he had escaped suspicion and remained untouched by this storm.

But to simply escape unscathed was one thing—yet to be promoted as well? That was too much.

He snorted inwardly.

Back then, he himself had been merely a Counselor. To rise in rank, he had donated tens of thousands of taels of silver and secretly bribed another hundred thousand to gain Yang Bo's favor and be promoted to Assistant Commissioner.

The commendation scroll reading "The scholars and commoners of the Three Jin provinces each contributed funds to build over six hundred city walls and fortresses" still hung in his family's main hall.

Now, they were handing out a Commissioner's post so easily—how much had Xu Xu Xuemo paid Zhang Zhang Juzheng?

He was just estimating the price of a Commissioner's post when the Deputy Grand Secretary Gao Yi spoke up: "For the Governor of Huguang, perhaps Liang Liang Menglong would do."

Sun Yi once again despised these Grand Secretaries in his heart.

Liang Liang Menglong was currently Governor of Henan; before this, he had claimed he wanted to be promoted one rank through maritime transport, just half a step away from becoming a Viceroy or entering the central court.

Now, he had probably not paid a single coin and was being dumped into Huguang to tread on this mine.

By then, having offended too many, who knew if he could advance further?

Sun Yi's wild speculation was not without cause.

He could only use this method to ease his agitation, for once he stopped thinking, he could not help being overwhelmed by immense unease.

The Emperor spoke again: "Do as the ministers suggest. Fix the Governor and Commissioner posts; the rest can be discussed later."

At that moment, Zhu Zhu Yijun finished speaking and turned to Sun Yi.

"Ah, Minister Sun has arrived. Should I explain the Huguang matter to you?"

Sun Yi's hair stood on end, but he composed his expression and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, Grand Eunuch Li has already informed me on the way here!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded: "Last night, I asked Wen Chun, who once served as Counselor in Huguang. He said that when you were Commissioner of Huguang, you knew the full extent of the corruption."

"Minister Sun, do you have anything to teach me?"

Sun Yi was filled with dread.

It was indeed the Huguang matter coming for him!

He had been gone for over a year and two months! Why were they still pursuing him?

At once, Sun Yi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, during my tenure, the rivers were clear and the seas calm; the people lived in peace and prosperity. There was never any incident of bandits attacking county offices!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun slowly opened a memorial, his tone unreadable: "Is that so?"

"What of the private casting of copper coins and weapons—did you know of it?"

Sun Yi gathered his thoughts, ensuring no sign of weakness showed on his face: "Your Majesty, I served in Huguang for less than two years. Private casting was too covert—I truly did not know."

The Emperor asked this way because he clearly knew something.

He could not directly deny it—he could only claim ignorance.

Though his face remained calm, his back was gradually dampening, and his entire body radiated unease—the Emperor had come prepared!

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded: "In the ninth month of Emperor Longqing Fifth Year, due to floods in Huguang, my late father issued an edict permitting half the grain tribute from Wuchang, Hanyang, and Jingzhou to be converted to silver, and ordered the distribution of confiscated silver and granary grain for relief."

"This matter was overseen by you, was it not?"

Sun Yi's face changed, and he nodded reluctantly.

Zhu Zhu Yijun continued: "To make it easier for the people to exchange, you specifically converted silver and granary grain into copper coins for distribution—truly a loyal minister, your mature and benevolent act brings me comfort."

He suddenly spoke coldly: "Whose copper coins?"

Sun Yi shuddered.

But he did not lose his composure, and blurted out the answer he had prepared: "I… I purchased them from local wealthy households."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded, unusually not pressing further.

He turned to another memorial and continued calmly: "In the tenth month of Emperor Longqing Fourth Year, when you first arrived in Huguang to assume office…"

"Prefects and County Magistrates, along with the Provincial Administration Commission, reported that someone was illegally mining on mountains."

"You said you would submit a memorial to the central court for imperial judgment, yet I have combed through all Six Boards and found no such memorial from you."

"Minister Sun, where is your memorial?"

Sun Yi lowered his head, hiding his expression, and choked out: "At the time, affairs were overwhelming—perhaps… perhaps I forgot."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded, accepting this explanation.

He opened another memorial: "Last April, two gangs of bandits in Prince Wugang State clashed violently, fully armed. After the Governor's office reported it, the case was referred to your Provincial Administration Commission for handling."

"I hear you ultimately released them all?"

Here, Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Let them go, then. But the seized weapons were also 'repurchased'—do you know of this?"

Sun Yi remained silent, as if deaf to all.

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head softly: "I heard that wealthy households once came to your residence to present you with gold and silver."

"This morning, that man came to the Shuntian Prefectural Yamen seeking you, asking about the central court's stance on the Linxiang County case."

Here, he dropped all expression, looking down at Sun Yi: "Sun Yi, I hear you had a grudge against Tang Bin. Is this case connected to you?"

At these words, Sun Yi finally broke.

He fell to his knees with a thud: "Your Majesty, this case has nothing to do with me!"

"I merely tolerated illegal mining, allowed private coinage, and shielded my subordinates—these are the only things remotely tied to me!"

"How could I dare be involved in burning an imperial envoy? Your Majesty, I am innocent!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun finally flew into a rage, unable to contain his fury, and kicked Sun Yi directly: "Now you admit you were involved!"

Zhang Zhang Juzheng, quick as lightning, rushed forward and embraced the Emperor: "Your Majesty, maintain your dignity."

Zhu Zhu Yijun calmed slightly.

Sun Yi crawled back: "Your Majesty! I was forced into this!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun was brushing dust from his robe when he turned sharply.

His gaze sharpened, pinning Sun Yi in place: "Who forced you?"

Sun Yi wept bitterly: "Your Majesty! This matter involves thousands, hundreds of people!"

"From wealthy merchants and local gentry to lowly clerks, from the Three Departments to noble clans and imperial relatives—everyone is pushing me forward!"

Seeing the Emperor stare at him with a dark, silent glare,

he grimaced: "Your Majesty, half the Regional Military Commissioners and every guard unit with the means are engaged in mining."

"As for coinage, local gentry, landowners, even commoners—all participate."

Zhu Zhu Yijun stepped closer, knelt before Sun Yi, and stared at the unyielding Prefect of Shuntian.

He shed his last patience: "I ask you one final time—who forced you?"

Sun Yi's lips parted slightly, then closed again.

He glanced at the Emperor's expression.

He lowered his head and spoke with difficulty: "I truly do not know. I only know the one who took the lead was Zhu Zhu Yingyan, the Assistant Prince of Yueyang Yueyang Wangfu."

After saying this, he finally lost all strength and collapsed to the ground.

(End of Chapter)