Chapter 5: Wei Zongxian

Yi Tusheng thought to himself that if he wanted to rise in rank and acquire wealth, he would undoubtedly need this person's assistance. It was truly a rare opportunity to establish a connection with him. He said, somewhat flattered, "Brother Tian, you flatter me; I dare not refuse your command." Tian Ji smiled and said, "I will take you to the imperial prison to familiarize yourself with the environment!" Yi Tusheng bowed deeply and, filled with excitement, said, "Brother Tian's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. If I ever have a chance to rise in the future, I will surely repay it a hundredfold!"

Wei Zongxian nodded slightly, coughed twice, and turned to leave. Along with him departed the immense pressure weighing on Yi Tusheng, a pressure that seemed to stem from Yi Tusheng's innermost self, yet also appeared to be contained within the gaze of Wei Zongxian, remarkably intriguing

Tian Ji unreservedly conveyed all the rules, taboos, and duties to Yi Tusheng. Listening to this made Yi Tusheng's head spin and his tongue numb, nearly causing a stroke. These tortures were not only unheard of but also quite shocking; no wonder people in the twenty-first century often say: as long as the Jinyiwei want you to speak, you have no choice but to do so

Tian Ji patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily: "I recommend you, but you must have the ability yourself. I heard that today's assassin possesses exceptional lightness of body and extraordinary internal strength. It is truly not easy for you to repel her and protect the confidential report! By the way, do not call me Lord Tian in the future; it is too formal. Just call me Brother Tian instead!"

Two individuals rode on two fine steeds, chatting and laughing as they traveled together, and soon arrived at the Northern Town Patrol Office

The Beizhen Fusi essentially serves as the headquarters of the Jinyiwei, with the chief commander of the Jinyiwei referred to as the Beizhen Fusi Commandant. Initially, it held an equal status with the Eastern Depot. However, after Wei Zongxian came to power, he not only oversaw the Eastern Depot but also took control of the Western Depot, the Internal Affairs Depot, and the Beizhen Fusi, consolidating the authority over the defense of the capital in his hands. As a result, the Jinyiwei was subject to the command and coordination of the Eastern Depot.

Yitu Shengxin thought to himself, now that the conversation has reached this point, if he still presents himself as a servant, it would only invite disdain from the other party. Therefore, he straightened his imposing figure and declared proudly, "It is settled with a word!"

Generally speaking, once a prisoner is brought in, they must endure all 18 types of torture. One form of punishment closely related to the Jinyiwei is known as "Tingzhang," which involves beating officials in the court for offenses or mistakes, thereby enhancing the emperor's authority. During the Hongwu period, nobles such as Zhu Liangzu (who deserved death) and high officials like Minister of Works Xue Xiang were all killed by the Tingzhang. In contrast to punishments like the rod and the clamp, the few major tortures rarely used by the Jinyiwei can send chills down one's spine. Among these tortures, methods such as scrubbing, frying in oil, administering poison, and standing in heavy shackles can torment a person to the brink of death, making life unbearable.

Thank you, Supervisor! Yi Tusheng heavily knocked his head against the ground, slightly raising his neck. Having been a Jinyiwei for a month, it was his first time seeing Wei Zongxian. Yi Tusheng was immediately struck by Wei Zongxian's grandeur. To be honest, he had never imagined that a person without a bird could possess such elegance.

Wei Zongxian was dressed in a python robe, with a jade belt at his waist. He was tall and handsome, over forty years old, with eyes that were slightly bluish, skin that was almost translucent, and a perpetual smile at the corners of his mouth that was both sinister and gentle. His straight nose and resolute lips, along with broad shoulders, gave the impression that he was as unyielding as a towering mountain. If it were not for the absence of a certain feature beneath his waist, he would undoubtedly have enjoyed a life filled with worldly pleasures; at this moment, however, this beauty was entirely wasted.

They spy on the thoughts and actions of officials and commoners everywhere. As long as they suspect someone of being detrimental to the emperor's rule, they can directly imprison them in the imperial prison without any evidence and torture them to death

Tian Ji greeted Tian Er-geng in the hall of the Town Pacification Office and directly took Yi Tusheng to the Imperial Censorate's prison. The term "Imperial prison" refers to a facility directly managed by the emperor, which transcends the law and is not subject to the oversight of the Six Ministries or the Nine Departments. Even the Cabinet has no authority to intervene, and the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice are further prohibited from interference; they answer solely to the emperor. Entering this prison is akin to stepping into the gates of hell, with no hope of survival.

Scrubbing: This refers to the act of stripping the prisoner and placing them on an iron bed, pouring scalding boiling water over their body, and then, while still hot, vigorously scrubbing the scalded areas with an iron brush filled with nails until the bones are exposed, ultimately leading to the death of the prisoner

Typically, the Jinyiwei would issue a "Jiatie" to m.hetushu.com before arresting a suspect, which serves a function equivalent to a modern arrest warrant

Everyone dispersed. Tian Ji came over to congratulate Yi Tusheng: "Brother Yi, your skills are extraordinary, and Duke Du has a keen eye for talent. This is truly a cause for celebration!" Yi Tusheng could not understand why Tian Ji was being so kind to him; could it be because of Qu Min? He quickly clasped his hands and said, "It is all thanks to Lord Tian's recommendation!"

According to Tian Ji, the Jinyiwei commonly used 18 types of torture instruments, including various types of sticks, headbands, horse-stopping rods, and finger nails, among others. One of the punishments is called "bamboo punishment." The agents have specific protocols for executing this punishment. For ordinary prisoners, the executioner is instructed to "hit lightly," meaning it should not be too severe; if a heavier punishment is required, they say "hit moderately;" and if a severe beating is requested, regardless of the outcome, they say "hit thoroughly and severely." This reflects the meticulous nature of the agents in executing the bamboo punishment.

Throughout the entire prison, a chilling wind howled, and the stench of blood was overwhelming, resembling the eighteen layers of hell. Had it not been for Yi Tusheng's familiarity with scenes of murder and bloodshed, he would surely have fainted.

Several members of the Jinyiwei heard that Yi Tusheng was a new leader and, noticing his close rapport with Qianhu Tian Ji, approached him to offer their seats and serve tea, showering him with flattery. Yi Tusheng thoroughly enjoyed this feeling of being part of the landlord class, sitting in his chair and nodding repeatedly, indicating his willingness to accept bribes and invitations from his subordinates

Yitu Sheng casually boasted a little, saying lightly: "My father used to engage in the trade of exchanging money for lives, and I, having been raised with family teachings, am no longer surprised by such matters"

Within the solemn confines of the Eastern Depot's courtyard, Wei Zongxian sat high in a grand minister's chair, gazing majestically down upon the fourteen captains.

At the same time, Yi Tusheng inquired about the organizational structure of the Jinyiwei and learned that: there is one commander, of the third rank, two deputy commanders, of the third rank, two assistant officials, of the fourth rank, two pacification officials, of the fifth rank, and fourteen captains, of the fifth rank, under which there are also management positions such as deputy captain (of the fifth rank), hundred households (of the sixth rank), trial hundred households (of the sixth rank), chief flag (of the seventh rank), and small flag (of the seventh rank). Yi Tusheng's position as 'team leader' is actually not very significant, comparable to Sun Wukong's 'Bi and Tushu Mawen'. Fourteen captains, of the fifth rank, under which there are also management positions such as deputy captain (of the fifth rank), hundred households (of the sixth rank), trial hundred households (of the sixth rank), chief flag (of the seventh rank), and small flag (of the seventh rank). Yi Tusheng's position as 'team leader' is actually not very significant, comparable to Sun Wukong's 'Bi and Tushu Mawen'.

"Good!" Wei Zongxian stood up, holding onto the armrest of the grand master's chair, and pointed at Yi Tusheng, saying: "Indeed, you are someone who understands the situation. You possess an impressive demeanor, unlike someone from a mere pond. Therefore, starting today, you will be transferred to the Northern Town Pacification Office's prison, taking on the role of team leader." Tian Ji hurriedly stepped out from the steps and said: "Your Excellency, you are wise; this person is indeed a talent!" Wei Zongxian replied with a hum: "With your recommendation, I am even more at ease."

Wei Zongxian, with his uniquely hoarse and sharp voice, sneered and said, "Why haven't you died yet?" Yi Tusheng lowered his head and replied in a bold tone, "Reporting to the Supervisor, the assassin was injured by my unique hidden weapon, the 'Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Soul-Chasing Nail,' and managed to escape, which is why I am still alive"

Holding the bloodied newspaper, Wei Zongxian said coldly: "Is everyone dead?" Yi Tusheng replied loudly: "Only Team Leader Guan has managed to survive half of his life, and he is currently in emergency treatment!"

Tian Ji's eyes emitted a strong light as he joyfully remarked, "What the prince needs is precisely this kind of person; I truly did not misjudge him." Yi Tusheng smiled faintly and strolled into the damp hell. Everywhere his gaze fell, there was blood and prisoners wailing in despair, surpassing even the legendary eighteen layers of hell.

Tian Jizheng said: "I see that your facial features truly indicate boundless future blessings. Since you have said this, do not go back on your word. From now on, let us refer to each other as brothers and take care of one another"

Upon seeing Yi Tusheng, who remained calm and composed, smiling effortlessly, Tian Ji couldn't help but give a thumbs up in admiration, saying: "To be honest, I have been with the Jinyiwei for over ten years, and this is the first time I have encountered a brother like you, a true tough guy. Generally, those who come to this place for the first time are almost always pale and visibly shaken. I didn't expect you to be so unfazed. I am truly impressed, truly impressed."

"A decent remark. I ask you, do you know what you have submitted to me?"

The former commander of the Jinyiwei, Wei Zongxian's staunch follower Cui Chengxiu has just been appointed as the Minister of War, while another loyalist, Tian Ergeng, has been promoted to commander. Recently, he has been busy recruiting soldiers and expanding his influence. Yi Tusheng has also taken advantage of this favorable situation to become a member of the Jinyiwei, as neither Tushuran nor Tian Ji would have recommended him without good reason.

Tian Ji exchanged a few more polite words before turning to leave. Observing his anxious demeanor, Yi Tusheng couldn't help but wonder if he was secretly meeting with Qu Min. Could it be that Lord Ye Xiangao was away on business again? It had been a month since he last saw Qu Min, and the thought of her delicate figure made his heart soar like a hot air balloon.

A jujube wood stick, thicker than an arm, swung around and struck on the buttocks; after three to five blows, the skin would split, flesh would be lacerated, and blood would flow profusely, with bits of flesh flying everywhere. After a dozen blows, bones would break, tendons would snap, and the cries of the tormented would fill the air, with blood flowing audibly. An ordinary person would not survive more than thirty blows before succumbing. If sentenced to fifty strokes, it would be akin to a death sentence. However, Yi Tusheng felt that a death sentence was actually more fortunate; with one swift cut, all sensation would cease, sparing one from such suffering.

Administering Poison: The Jinyiwei administers a dose of poison, followed by an antidote, and then another type of poison, continuing this process until the prisoner succumbs to the poison. The purpose is to make the prisoner experience the terror and agony of death, while the Jinyiwei observes from the side

Tian Ji seemed to suddenly remember something important and shouted, "Brother Yi, I have some matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company. You can explore on your own!" Yi Tusheng was more than happy for him to leave early. He always spoke cautiously in front of him, fearing that he might reveal some slip-up. He quickly turned around and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Tian, please feel free to handle your affairs!"

The activities of the Tiki seem to spread like mercury, infiltrating every nook and cranny

All the subordinates immediately burst into smiles.

In the past, when watching period dramas, I often saw scenes where wooden sticks were used to hit people's backsides. Observing the actors portray it as if it were painless, I always thought it was not a big deal. Today, I have come to realize how wrong I was

With Wei Zongxian's command, comparable to a royal decree, Tian Ergeng had already received the news

When the two arrived, they happened to witness three to five individuals being punished, with the sounds of wailing and howling echoing throughout the imperial prison

Wei Zongxian squinted his eyes, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief embroidered with red peonies, and said with a cold smile: "The Soul-Pursuing Nail of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, what a grand title! How come I have never heard of it before!"

This does not indicate that Yi Tusheng has bad luck; rather, it reflects that every day there are individuals subjected to punishment. The unjust souls and records in the imperial prison have numbered at least fifty thousand, if not one hundred thousand, throughout history. Yi Tusheng has personally witnessed the terror of corporal punishment

Wei Zongxian coldly snorted, "Have you not opened it to read?"

Pan-frying: Similar to the later iron branding. A flat iron pan is heated, and a person is placed on it; within moments, the prisoner is scorched.

The punishment of standing in stocks during the Ming Dynasty was particularly unique; those who were subjected to this punishment were required to stand and were not allowed to sit or lie down. The weight of the stocks exceeded that of an average person, with the heaviest reaching up to 300 jin, which could lead to the prisoner being exhausted to death within a few days. According to unofficial historical records from the Ming Dynasty, the brutal tortures employed by the secret police included skinning, head scraping, and intestine hooking, which were said to surpass the aforementioned tortures in severity

Yi Tusheng knelt on one knee before the steps, with five or six sword wounds on his chest and back oozing blood profusely

Nodding slightly, Wei Zongxian's thin lips curled into a satisfied smile as he said, "It seems that your martial arts skills are quite impressive!" Yi Tusheng replied loudly, "Reporting to the Supervisor, it's acceptable!"

The only flaw is that he is, after all, a eunuch, lacking in masculine vigor, which results in an irreparable deficiency in his ability to entice women. This deficiency is precisely what is most abundant in Yi Tusheng.

Yitu Sheng had long been prepared, and he said slowly: "This item is a family heirloom passed down through my ancestors, and has never been revealed in the martial world, which is why the Supervisor has not heard of it"

Yitu Sheng lowered his head even further, trembling with fear as he said: "I, as a subordinate, am fully aware of my humble status. How could I dare to pry into the secret correspondence of the Governor? I implore the Governor to discern my intentions clearly"

These fourteen individuals represent the core strength of the Eastern Depot, all of whom are elite assassins meticulously selected by the Northern Town Pacification Office. Rows of elite Jinyiwei, clad in distinctive armor, stand in two lines with their swords drawn within the Langyuan, their expressions solemn and serious, exhibiting an air of meticulousness. These individuals are known as "Tiqi." They are proficient in various skills such as hand-to-hand combat, disguise, scaling walls, breaking into rooms, and carrying out assassinations.

I do not know, but I am aware that the Governor desires this item. Therefore, even if it costs me my life, I will ensure that this item is delivered to the Governor

It seems that later generations have not wronged these individuals by labeling them as killing machines