Chapter 0005: The Power Strategies of Rural Cadres
Zhu Youjian hurriedly waved his hand, "Do as you see fit. You are my trusted companion; if I do not trust you, whom should I trust?"
The conversation was split into two parts. On one side, the Ke family and Xu Yingyuan had just left, while Wang Cheng'en had a significant matter that required the Emperor's personal decision. The replacement of the chief eunuch and palace maids was no trivial matter. He hurried to find the Emperor for instructions, only to discover that His Majesty was standing outside the Empress's courtyard in the Imperial Garden, appearing both eager to enter and hesitant to do so, which was quite peculiar
Wang Cheng'en's face was filled with tears of old age, his shoulders trembling in fear, tears still falling, yet there was not a sound to be heard, and he did not dare to cry out even a single sound more. This ability to cry at will and to hold back tears at will left Zhu Youjian in deep admiration.
Kebaba spoke as he slipped a prepared banknote worth ten thousand taels of silver into Wang Cheng'en's sleeve pocket
Wei Zhongxian pondered over these two thorny issues, feeling a sudden pain in his head. Covering his white-haired head, he said, "No matter what, since the Emperor has laid everything bare, this is giving us a way out! Immediately arrange to gather the funds!"
Xu Yingyuan nodded slightly and said to the guest, "Madam, indeed, you may rest assured to leave the palace. It would be best if you could do so discreetly, taking away all your trusted maidservants and the head eunuchs, to leave a good impression on the Emperor. Furthermore, it would be advisable for Eunuch Wei to deal with those officials who are particularly vocal in their opposition, as we are all close ministers to the Emperor and should assist him in alleviating his troubles."
Kebaba is indeed an elite among women! Once she made up her mind, she acted without hesitation. On the same day, she moved out of the palace, carefully packed away the hair and nails of the Tianqi Emperor that she had preserved into a delicate pouch, and offered them at the spirit tablet of the Tianqi Emperor, weeping bitterly. After that, she returned to her residence, which was comparable to a palace, a house bestowed upon her by the Tianqi Emperor
Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, "This is indeed a tricky matter! She has been in the palace for many years, and it is unlikely to clean things up all at once! Moreover, if we are too eager to eliminate the eunuchs in the palace, it may alert them! Delaying action is also unsafe; this is like a game of chess. You should let Xu Yingyuan handle this matter herself, sending all the guests out of the palace and to her residence, where there is ample space!"
Wei Zhongxian glanced at the two men, a faint smile appearing on his wrinkled old face, fully aware of their thoughts. "Do not blame me for being ruthless! First of all, without throwing Cui Chengxiu under the bus, the others lack the weight! We cannot let the Emperor perceive our sincerity! As long as there is life left, no matter where I am, even in exile, my influence remains sufficient to control the court and the realm! Furthermore, the highest rank does not necessarily equate to the greatest power! Although Cui Chengxiu holds the esteemed position of Minister of War, the troops he can mobilize are actually limited! Moreover, the troops surrounding the imperial city are all of noble birth; at a critical moment, whether they will heed our commands is uncertain! Do you understand?"
Kebaba also pondered, "Moreover, it seems that the Emperor is quite dissatisfied with Wei Ge's adopted sons. From Wang Cheng'en's tone today, it appears that we may have to abandon the vehicle to protect the leader"
Wang Cheng'en did not know what the emperor was thinking while standing outside the empress's courtyard, but without the emperor's command, he did not dare to approach, allowing the palace maids and eunuchs to serve from a distance.
Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said, "From now on, do not meddle in my affairs."
Zhu Youjian found himself amidst this sea of flowers, listening to the sound of the spinning wheel coming from the courtyard not far away, as if he had suddenly regained the ambitious self he once was! A man, if he cannot provide his wife with the most basic peaceful living environment, what right does he have to call himself a man? Facing this boundless sea of flowers, Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian fell into deep contemplation
Wei Zhongxian nodded slightly, "I am neither so optimistic nor so pessimistic. I control the officials! I also have authority over those fierce generals commanding the armies of the realm! Even if someone is determined to bring me down, the Zhu family's dominion will suffer significant damage! Based on my analysis, the young emperor has some means, but to think he can stabilize me and expect me to facilitate the transfer of power for him is a mere dream!"
Xu Yingyuan also nodded in agreement, saying, "I have noticed it too! Wang Cheng'en is always by the Emperor's side, and his words are essentially the Emperor's words."
Xu Yingyuan smiled and said, "Factory Chief, we should still be at ease. At least the Emperor's actions indicate that he still respects you, Factory Chief."
The sound of spinning in the courtyard came to a halt, capturing the attention of Emperor Chongzhen!
Wei Zhongxian glanced at Ke Babba, smiled, and held her hand, "Rest assured, who would want to touch you? Well, since the Emperor wants a scapegoat, let us provide him with a big one! The Emperor thinks he can lead troops into battle, does he think it's just child's play? Let's throw Minister of War Cui Chengxiu out! Xu Yingyuan, immediately find a censor to impeach Cui Chengxiu, and go all out against him!" The Emperor thinks he can lead troops into battle, does he think it's just child's play? Let's throw Minister of War Cui Chengxiu out! Xu Yingyuan, immediately find a censor to impeach Cui Chengxiu, and go all out against him!
The cold plum blossoms stand proudly, competing with myriad flowers in their splendor! The Imperial Garden is a sea of flowers, a serene paradise untouched by the world!
Wang Cheng'en understood that Xu Yingyuan's words were directed at him, but he did not respond affirmatively or negatively; he merely nodded lightly.
Kebaba softly asked, "Who do you intend to make the scapegoat for this matter?"
Wei Zhongxian glared at Xu Yingyuan and said, "Foolish! Today, the Emperor spoke in front of the three regents, stating that as long as I provide these 700,000 taels of silver, matters from the previous dynasty will no longer be mentioned! This is not just about me; it is also a message to the entire court! This matter will not be brought up again; he will not revisit the old accounts of the previous dynasty! Immediately have those brats gather the silver! Regardless of whether they can provide this amount by tomorrow, tonight, we must raise 700,000 taels of silver!" This matter will not be brought up again; he will not revisit the old accounts of the previous dynasty! Immediately have those brats gather the silver! Regardless of whether they can provide this amount by tomorrow, tonight, we must raise 700,000 taels of silver!
Wang Cheng'en was taken aback, for the heavens were unpredictable! He realized that the young emperor was becoming increasingly difficult to serve. In a hurry, he knelt down, weeping bitterly, and said, "This old servant is guilty; this old servant deserves to die"
In compliance with your command, this humble servant does not dare to disturb Your Majesty. However, with the departure of the guest from the palace, should the palace not begin to eliminate the associates of the guest?" Wang Cheng'en, while wiping away his tears, expressed the content that he needed to report to the Emperor.
Wang Cheng'en let out a sound, his calm old face showing not a trace of emotion. He smiled and said, "Eunuch Xu, the Empress Dowager, and His Majesty are all esteemed figures. The will of Heaven is difficult to predict; we should not rashly speculate on His Majesty's intentions! However, based on my experience of serving the Emperor for over a decade, I can assure you that His Majesty will definitely continue to rely on Eunuch Wei! Otherwise, the Emperor's character is one that harbors a deep aversion to evil!"
"Your Excellency, the Emperor has just approved the matter of allowing the maidservants to leave the palace. What do you think we should do?" Ke Baba inquired of Wang Cheng'en, alongside another chief eunuch, Xu Yingyuan, who was close to Emperor Chongzhen.
Wang Cheng'en nodded with a smile, "In that case, this old servant will not act in vain. I thank Lord Wei and Lady Feng for their rewards. Rest assured, with my experience of serving the Emperor for over ten years, I can assert that even if the Emperor cannot employ Lord Wei and Lady Feng as heavily as Emperor Tianqi did, he certainly harbors no ill intentions towards them. The key lies in how Lord Wei and Lady Feng conduct themselves."
Wang Cheng'en was taken aback and said, "Your Majesty, Xu Yingyuan is also one of Wei Zhongxian's people!"
Xu Yingyuan was taken aback, "Is the factory manager really going to give silver to the emperor? Doesn't that mean you have pocketed so much silver? Moreover, we don't have that much silver in our reserves, do we?"
Xu Yingyuan and Kebababa were thoroughly impressed by Wei Zhongxian's explanation, feeling a sense of admiration and slight relief, yet they were even more astonished by the old man's ruthless nature! That is your godson! He speaks of casting him aside as if he were merely a pile of trash!
Wang Cheng'en has already experienced too much shock today! It seems he has become numb! Your Majesty, Your Majesty, even if you were cunning from the moment you were born, could you really be this shrewd? Wang Cheng'en feels like an old man nearing sixty, and compared to the Emperor, who has just turned sixteen not long ago, he is not even worth a single foot! He respectfully bowed his head to the Emperor, saying, "This old servant understands, Your Majesty is wise!" Wang Cheng'en feels like an old man nearing sixty, and compared to the Emperor, who has just turned sixteen not long ago, he is not even worth a single foot! He respectfully bowed his head to the Emperor, saying, "This old servant understands, Your Majesty is wise!"
Times have changed! Of course, Ke Baba understands the weight of Wang Cheng'en's words with the Emperor, thinking that he and his *Tu* *Shu* will soon leave the palace! He also wants to curry favor with Wang Cheng'en, saying, "Lord Wang, since you have taken charge of the Grand Inner Court, it is only natural to replace the trusted aides. I will hand over the complete list of leaders I have promoted to you right away. You, Brother Xu, and Brother Wei are all good friends, so please take good care of the young talents in the future."
Wang Cheng'en said cautiously in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you have not yet entered? Would you like this humble servant to inform you?"
Wang Cheng'en left quietly, and with the Emperor's title as his great companion, it truly captivated the old eunuch more than any position in the world! Naturally, these matters were for him to charge into battle for the Emperor! If everything had to be handled by the Emperor, then what need was there for him as this great companion?
Zhu Youjian smiled and said, "I understand. Otherwise, how could we avoid arousing the suspicions of the eunuchs while also clearing out the outsiders? Issue a decree appointing Xu Yingyuan to temporarily act as the head eunuch! Xu Yingyuan is a man of Wei Zhongxian, but he is not Wei Zhongxian himself. People are inherently self-interested! If he feels there is a chance to replace Wei Zhongxian, do you think he will still remain loyal to him? Moreover, with you watching over things in the palace, no matter how many people Xu Yingyuan promotes, they will all be newly appointed. Wouldn't it be easier to eliminate them than to directly remove the outsiders?"
Kebaba affectionately pushed the banknote back, while Xu Yingyuan also urged from the side, "Brother Cheng'en, we all eat from the imperial court, and we will be friends in the future."
Wei Zhongxian, Ke Bababa, and Xu Yingyuan looked at the silk, their expressions grave. These individuals, who had spent their entire lives in the intrigues of the imperial palace, were unable to discern the Emperor's intentions
After leaving the palace, Kebab gradually distanced himself from the emperor's influence, regaining his composure. Shaking his head, he remarked, "This emperor is truly not simple at all. Now that I have left the palace, we have absolutely no influence within it! We have completely become the emperor's playthings!"
Zhu Youjian curiously turned his head back, and only then did he remember that he was now the ruler of the Ming Dynasty! He should no longer speak in the manner of a village chief from his previous life. "Get up, get up, Wang Cheng'en. Issue the next imperial decree: from now on, anyone who dares to cry in my presence shall be guilty of treason against the emperor!"
As soon as I returned to the palace, a piece of tribute silk sent by the emperor also arrived.
Wang Cheng'en hurriedly took out the banknote, "Your Excellency, this old servant cannot accept such a gift, for you are the esteemed lady of a thousand years! It would be too much for this old servant to bear"
There is a reason for her to ask this way; she is genuinely afraid that this old eunuch might turn against her. It is not impossible for him to kill her to curry favor with the Emperor
Ke Baba and Xu Yingyuan were both taken aback! Cui Chengxiu is the top general of the old man! He is the leader of the Five Tigers! The most capable subordinate in the old man's hands!
"All for the Emperor! Not a single cent should be moved! Sacrifice and gain, one must give to receive! As long as one preserves their life, there will always be a chance for a comeback!" Wei Zhongxian said as he strode into the inner chamber of the Ke family, his wide robe trailing behind him. The Ke family member hurriedly followed, eager to please.
Xu Yingyuan nodded and said, "Then, what will happen to Cui Chengxiu's estate?"
Indeed, Brother Cheng'en, what is the Emperor's attitude towards Eunuch Wei and Lady Ke? With Lady Ke gone, how should the palace maids and eunuchs be arranged? Although Xu Yingyuan was originally a eunuch in the service of Emperor Chongzhen at the Prince of Xin's residence, he had long been in collusion with Wei Zhongxian, a fact known to both Emperor Chongzhen and Wang Cheng'en.
Xu Yingyuan and Kebababa both breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. With Wang Cheng'en's words, it was almost as if the Emperor himself had spoken! Wang Cheng'en was like a worm in the Emperor's belly; who didn't know that? Kebababa left with countless thanks.
Xu Yingyuan clasped his hands and said, "Your Excellency, you have keen insight. However, the Emperor has ordered you to produce seven hundred thousand taels of silver by tomorrow. How shall we address this matter?"
Wei Zhongxian pondered and said, "Since we need to curry favor with the Emperor, we must put on a complete show! We must not alert Cui Chengxiu! Today, let the censors submit a memorial for impeachment, and gather all the evidence! We cannot give Cui Chengxiu a chance to react; this fellow has quite a bit of incriminating evidence against us!" As he spoke, he made a gesture as if to poison and assassinate.