Chapter 1387: A Tiger Fallen to the Plains

"Wei Zhongxian, you dog of a traitor — so you've finally met your day!"

"Wei Zhongxian, may you die a wretched death!"

As if deeply dissatisfied with his attitude, a crowd pointed at him, shouting curses. Some even threw stones and vegetable leaves his way, just like the condemned prisoners paraded through the streets before their beheading.

And rightly so — what difference was there now between this and being a condemned prisoner?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly shouted down those flinging things, though their manner was not harsh; compared to their usual conduct, they were far more restrained.

In the past, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's fearsome reputation made everyone turn pale at the mere mention of them; even when Wei Zhongxian held sway, no one ever dared slight the might of the mounted guard. But now things were different — the Chongzhen Emperor had always believed that governance should be upright and clean, relying on honest and incorruptible civil officials. He disliked the Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard under Wei Zhongxian's faction, viewing them as accomplices in persecuting the loyal and virtuous. Thus, ever since ascending the throne, he had repeatedly curtailed the Depot and Guard's operations, so much so that even when the Embroidered Uniform Guard went out now, their presence was greatly diminished.

Still, no matter what, the Embroidered Uniform Guard remained the Great Ming's renowned investigative agency, and frightening these people was enough. For a moment, no one threw any more debris, only the voices of bitter denunciation and angry rebuke grew louder by a few degrees.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a censor's official robes, looking well-maintained, walked up not far from them, then furrowed his brows and loudly shouted abuse in their direction.

"Eunuch Wei! Back then your arrogance blazed, you persecuted the loyal and virtuous — such rampant insolence! When you were drunk on your own power, did you ever imagine a day like today? I said back then that your many injustices would surely lead to your own destruction, and I pointed my finger and denounced you bitterly. Now Heaven has opened its eyes, and the sagely sovereign, upon ascending the throne, has had you seized — how utterly gratifying! You castrated wretch, you've done every evil deed imaginable, I wish I could feast on your flesh and sleep on your hide. The sagely sovereign, in his boundless benevolence, spares your life, but you are certain to die a wretched death!"

This torrent of abuse made Wei Zhongxian furrow his brow slightly and think for a moment.

A mere rank-seven censor — to his former self, nothing more than an ant. He might not even have been granted an audience, let alone the chance to curse him to his face. Besides, his memory had always been good; if someone had truly denounced him face to face, he would not be entirely without impression.

This fellow was merely taking advantage of his fall into the water to come curse him roundly, fishing for fame and reputation.

Hmph, ants are ants in the end — even acknowledging you is beneath me. Wei Zhongxian's brow smoothed; he swept a glance over the man, then looked elsewhere, utterly unconcerned.

Seeing Wei Zhongxian still so indifferent and dismissive, the censor appeared even more enraged. His eyes wide, he edged step by step closer to Wei Zhongxian, cursing loudly as he came. "Eunuch Wei! Do you know that you have provoked the wrath of both Heaven and the people? Do you think you can simply walk away? Having committed so many evils, do you now intend to just leave it all behind?"

He drew nearer and nearer, and was soon blocked by the Embroidered Uniform Guards surrounding Wei Zhongxian.

"Sir, please halt." The leader of this group spoke politely; he had no desire to offend a censor for Wei Zhongxian's sake — it was merely his duty.

"What are you blocking me for?!" The middle-aged censor was still a picture of fury, shouting loudly. "Eunuch Wei has brought calamity upon the realm, acting tyrannically and perversely. Now, at this point, why must you still shield him? Let me… let me teach him a lesson on behalf of all under Heaven!"

Yet, though he struggled, it was not violent. Under the present circumstances, daring to revile Wei Zhongxian was easy, but daring to oppose the Embroidered Uniform Guard still required a modicum of courage, so he did not dare make his words too harsh.

With him setting the example, many others also surged forward, loudly denouncing Wei Zhongxian, proclaiming what persecution they had suffered at his hands and how bitterly they had hated him before.

Listening to the roars of these people, Qi Wang's heart was stirred once more.

That so many people had rushed to curse Wei Zhongxian before he left the capital showed just how monstrous his crimes were, how many loyal and virtuous men he had destroyed!

As an escort, his task was fundamentally to ensure Wei Zhongxian's safety, to see that he reached the Fengyang Imperial Mausoleum safely. Yet… did such protection truly hold any meaning? Was not such a monstrously evil villain deserving of a thousand deaths?

Yet, even as people swarmed around him gnashing their teeth and cursing, Wei Zhongxian's expression remained utterly indifferent, as though treating it as a gentle breeze brushing his face.

At that moment, the middle-aged censor broke free from the Embroidered Uniform Guards' half-hearted restraint and abruptly rushed right in front of Wei Zhongxian.

"Wei Zhongxian! You dog of a traitor! Mark my words well — today it is I, Censor Li Xingge, who denounces you, you treacherous villain, beneath the city walls, venting the anger of all under Heaven! Your countless evils have finally brought this retribution upon you!"

His emotions were extremely agitated, spittle flying — some of it even landing on Wei Zhongxian's person.

Wei Zhongxian furrowed his brow slightly.

Although he was an "unclean" eunuch, he was in fact extremely fastidious — indeed, precisely because he was a physically mutilated eunuch, he was especially fastidious, loathing any foul odor clinging to him. In his days of power, who would have dared speak to him like this?

Seeing his displeased expression, the middle-aged censor was instead delighted.

"Dog of a traitor, now you know fear, do you? When you framed the loyal and virtuous, did you ever imagine this day? After your death, your ancestors will surely be shamed on your account, mortified that they produced such an unfilial, disloyal descendant who brought ruin to the state and its people!"

To his surprise, even upon hearing such insults, Wei Zhongxian showed not the slightest sign of anger, merely staring at him coldly.

Go on, curse me, curse me! Eunuch dog, have you no spine left at all? Censor Li was growing anxious, cursing furiously in his heart.

"Heh… hahahaha." Just then, Wei Zhongxian suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Hahahahaha!"

His voice was already extremely shrill, and in the midst of such wild laughter, it sounded even more like the cry of a night owl, deeply unsettling to hear.

Has this man gone mad? Censor Li felt a chill creep over him.

"Censor Li — ah yes, Censor Li. Why did you feel the need to announce your name and office to me? Did you think I wouldn't recognize you?" Wei Zhongxian's face was full of mockery. "Or was it that you simply wanted, right here before the gates of the Great Ming capital, to make a fine name for yourself?"

"You! I'll grant you have a sharp eye, to recognize a loyal and virtuous man!" Censor Li suppressed the strange feeling gradually rising in his heart. "What of it? Do you still wish to keep persecuting the loyal and virtuous? Let me tell you, you have fallen now, doomed beyond redemption! Your disciples and followers have scattered like monkeys fleeing a falling tree — not a single one can help you now! And you still laugh? What are you laughing at?!"

"Hmph, what's there to be nervous about? I formerly handled affairs at the Eastern Depot, tasked with surveilling the hundred officials and the bureaucracy — what's so strange about recognizing you, Censor Li?" Wei Zhongxian smiled indifferently. "Do you think I don't know that you have neither talent nor learning, nor enjoy anyone's favor, that you live in hardship and owe a mountain of capital debts? Do you think I don't know that you've been scheming all along to maneuver for a provincial posting? Do you think I don't know why you've come here today? Hahahaha… I laugh because you cursed well, and I laugh because I have fallen to such a state that a man as insignificant as a blade of grass dares curse me to my face! Tell me… isn't that laughable? Hahahaha!"

This shrill laughter left Censor Li thoroughly discomfited; his expression shifted erratically, his eyes flickered, and all the momentum he had moments before was utterly gone.

"You… you slander me with blood-spitting lies! Even fallen to this state, you still try to frame the loyal and virtuous? Don't even think about it!"

"Blood-spitting lies? Why would I need to slander you? A rank-seven censor, a thing like an ant or a gnat — crushed with a casual pinch. Would I need to frame you?" Wei Zhongxian merely sneered. "I am the Director of the Eastern Depot. The secret schemes and dirty dealings of you civil officials — how many do you think I don't know about? What need would I have for blood-spitting lies? It's just that I was busy dealing with that scoundrel Zhao Jin and had no time to bother with ants like you. And now, the ants have crawled onto my body. Hahaha, tell me, isn't that laughable!"

After saying this, he paid the censor no further attention, instead looking at the several others who had surged forward, ready to emulate Censor Li — his gaze stopping them all dead in their tracks.

Then, as if by unspoken agreement, these few people edged slightly backward again.

That's all the spine they have.

Wei Zhongxian put away his smile, raised his head to look at the sky once more, then turned his head toward the leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

"Centurion Liu, the hour is growing late — why not let me set out on the road now?"

"You… you recognize me?" Centurion Liu was slightly startled.

But he quickly understood why the other man recognized him.

If he even recognized a minor rank-seven censor at the very bottom, how could he not recognize someone from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a key target of surveillance?

"So it is… this… Eunuch is truly formidable." Centurion Liu first instinctively bent his waist in a slight bow, then felt that showing such deference before Wei Zhongxian was somewhat improper, and hurriedly straightened his back again — but no matter what, he could not put on the proper airs. "Eunuch Wei, there are a great many people gathered here now. Let us disperse them first, then escort you away… otherwise… otherwise I fear trouble may arise later."

Wei Zhongxian had fallen from power now, but he still dared not put on airs before him, especially after witnessing his furious rebuke of the censor just moments ago — that had frightened him into a cold sweat. How could he dare be stern with Wei Zhongxian?

"What is there to fear? I am now a man bearing guilt. Even if some mishap were to occur, it would be the working of fate — what is there to worry about? Besides, this rabble only wants to use me to invite fame for themselves. How would they dare actually do anything to me? I saw through them long ago — a bunch of empty posturers!" Suddenly, a cold, almost mocking sneer appeared on Wei Zhongxian's face. "What's more, if I keep lingering here, won't that make things difficult for you… A hot potato — why keep holding it in your hand?"

"The Eunuch speaks rightly… the Eunuch speaks rightly." Though his tone was not particularly courteous, the residual authority of the former Director of the Eastern Depot remained, and Centurion Liu had not the slightest inclination to oppose him, merely nodding obsequiously the whole time — a display that made Qi Wang feel rather stifled.

Then, Centurion Liu turned his head and looked at the two men responsible for the escort.

"Qi Wang, Liu Songping!"

"Present!" Both men answered in unison.