Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 16 The Three Guards of the Capital: The Embroidered Uniform Guard is the Most Useless

Wei Zhongxian actually led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to execute the entire Ke family!
This caused an uproar throughout the entire capital.

Weren't Wei Zhongxian and Madam Ke husband and wife?
Madam Ke was also Emperor Tianqi's wet nurse, and Emperor Tianqi treated Madam Ke like his own mother.

Wei Zhongxian actually led men to execute the entire Ke family. What exactly happened?

The common people in the capital had no idea what was going on, but those in the cabinet knew very well.

Around noon that day, as the first batch of carriages carrying gold and silver treasures entered the imperial city, Gu Bingqian and Feng Quan secretly met in a dark corner of the cabinet office for a private discussion.

Gu Bingqian couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, I never expected Wei Zhongxian to have such a trick up his sleeve. He actually managed to sell out Madam Ke!"

If Wei Zhongxian could betray his fellow villager Wei Chao and his benefactor Wang An, what's so surprising about him betraying Madam Ke?
Feng Quan feigned a sigh and said, "He actually betrayed Madam Ke to deceive His Majesty and shift the blame eastward. I never expected this trick. Even the crime of treason can't punish him. What should we do?"

The young emperor is only seventeen years old (by Chinese reckoning), so it's not difficult to fool him, is it?

While Wei Zhongxian might not be as adept at scheming as you or I, he was far more skilled at deceiving people.

As I've already said, the Emperor's intentions are unclear, so we cannot easily use this trump card.

You're asking me what to do now?
I have no idea what to do. Even the charge of treason can't get him into trouble. How could I possibly come up with an even bigger charge?
You're asking me what to do? Does that mean you're out of ideas too?

Now we've completely broken ties with Wei Zhongxian; it's either you die or I die.

If we can't deal with him, then he'll deal with us!
Wei Zhongxian was notoriously treacherous and ruthless. Even Madam Ke, who was his wife, ended up with her entire family being executed. What will be our fate?
Gu Bingqian grew increasingly fearful the more he thought about it.

He thought for a while with a look of horror on his face, and then said in a panic, "I'm getting so old that I can't walk anymore. If I don't beg to return home soon, I'm afraid I'll die far from home."

You cowardly old man, you should have gotten out of here long ago!
The Qi-Chu-Zhe Party promoted you, the leader of the Kun Party, so that you could be the one to stick your neck out.

These guys want you to stand in front and reap the benefits, you'd better get lost, let's see what the Qi-Chu-Zhe Party does then.

Qi, Chu, and Zhe factions, why aren't you going all out to take action?
Do you think Wei Zhongxian will let you off the hook?
Feng Quan feigned alarm and said, "I'm only in my thirties, I can't beg to retire and return home, what should I do?"

If you're thinking of running away, then I'd better run away quickly!
The next morning around 7 a.m., Zhu Jue was stunned when he opened the first memorial in the Imperial Study.

Grand Secretary Gu Bingqian requests to retire!
Is this guy scared?

Could he let this guy get away?

From the perspective of purging the outer court, requesting to retire is actually similar to being dismissed from office, investigated, or even removed from office.

Gu Bingqian doesn't seem to have done anything bad except for being vulgar and shameless, so letting him go wouldn't be a big deal.

He thought about it carefully, then handed the memorial to Wang Chengen and said authoritatively, "Granted."

What followed were several memorials requesting resignation.

Shi Gongsheng, an assistant director of the Ministry of Justice, requested to resign.

Qian Yuanque, a principal officer in the Ministry of War, resigned.

Lu Chengyuan, the head of the Ministry of Works, has resigned!
These guys actually tried to run away!
Could he let a few people who submitted memorials impeaching Wei Zhongxian get away with it?
Zhu Jue thought for a moment, then announced loudly, "Summon Wei Zhongxian to come and pay his respects."

Soon, Wei Zhongxian came running over eagerly, bowing respectfully and saying, "This servant greets Your Majesty."

You certainly know how to handle people.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then said authoritatively, "Well, is there any problem raising one million taels of silver and one million shi of grain within three days?"

This concerns my life and fortune, how could there be any problem?
Wei Zhongxian hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the one million taels of silver should all be deposited into the inner treasury today. I am trying to gather the grain, and it should be ready by tomorrow."

You've made quite a bit of money, it's time to bleed a little.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then handed all three memorials to Wang Chengen.

This means that Wang Chengen should read it to this fellow.

When Wei Zhongxian saw the three memorials, he couldn't help but tremble with fear.

Who is impeaching me this time?

Unexpectedly, Wang Chengen read out the memorials of resignation from Shi Gongsheng, Qian Yuanque, and Lu Chengyuan!
Tu Wenfu had already read these three memorials to him.

He was still wondering whether he should tell the young emperor about it.

What does the young emperor mean by this?
After Wang Chengen finished reading, Zhu Jue said expressionlessly, "Do you want to let these three go?" Uh, it's not that I want to let these three go.

Wei Zhongxian quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I have already sent Tian Ergeng to investigate, but Tian Ergeng said that if he persuades these three people, they will be in big trouble."

Sure enough, there's something wrong with the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
Tian Ergeng and Feng Quan were very close friends!

He was already a little puzzled as to why the Embroidered Uniform Guard was dragging their feet on handing over the stolen goods.

Now it seems that the problem lies with Tian Ergeng.

Zhu Jue said calmly, "What's so strange about these three people? Why would making a move cause such big trouble?"

Wei Zhongxian explained in detail: "Your Majesty, Tian Ergeng has already investigated. None of these three people have committed embezzlement or perverted the law. Moreover, Shi Gongsheng is known for his impartiality, Qian Yuanque is known for his integrity, and Lu Chengyuan is from the Lu family of Pinghu. If we touch them, it will be a terrible thing."

The Lu family of Pinghu?

Zhejiang Party?

Zhu Jue then asked, "Why is it so serious that the Lu family of Pinghu has made a move?"

This guy is really scary.

Wei Zhongxian recalled: "Tian Ergeng said that the Lu family of Pinghu originated from Lu Xun of Eastern Wu. There are seven branches now. The branch of Lu Chengyuan alone has produced eight Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) since the Hongzhi era. His great-uncle was Lu Guangzu, the Minister of Personnel during the Wanli era. In addition, Lu Bing, the Grand Tutor of the Jiajing era, came from another branch of the Lu family of Pinghu."

Oh, that's quite a background.

so what?

Zhu Jue said coldly, "Do you think Lu Chengyuan has a bigger background or Li Chengen? Did Li Chengen say this to you when you asked Tian Ergeng to take action against him?"

That's because Li Chengen has a powerful background!
Who in the Ming Dynasty could have a more powerful background than the imperial family?

Wei Zhongxian's eyes darted around, and he suddenly realized, "Your Majesty, do you mean that Tian Ergeng is outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant?"

You do have some brains.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and said, "Well, Tian Ergeng is no longer usable. Let's find someone else. You make a recommendation. This time, you have to find someone who is absolutely obedient. Otherwise, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will continue to play the game of feigning compliance while secretly opposing you."

what?
Tian Ergeng is no longer usable!

Who else can I use?
Who would absolutely listen to me?

Wei Zhongxian's eyes darted around for a moment before he cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think of Liangqing?"

You really know how to disgust people.

Fine, let your nephew disgust the Donglin Party and the Qi-Chu-Zhe Party.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and said decisively, "Ruoyu, draft an imperial edict to dismiss Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and to investigate him. Duke Wei Liangqing of Ningguo shall take charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Wei Zhongxian took the imperial edict and went off eagerly, while Wang Chengen and Liu Ruoyu watched his retreating figure with puzzled expressions.

They really couldn't understand why, if Tian Ergeng had problems, they didn't replace him with one of their own.

His Majesty has already taken back control of the Beijing Garrison, the Imperial Guards, and the Eastern Depot, so why does he still allow Wei Zhongxian to control the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Seeing this, Zhu Jue said calmly, "Do you think the Embroidered Uniform Guard is still of any use?"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was indeed useless.

Of the three guards in the capital, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the most useless.

The agents of the Eastern Depot were actually selected from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Beijing Garrison and the Imperial Guards, after some training, at least have some fighting power, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard has no other ability than to bully ordinary people and even court officials.

Historically, when the Ming Dynasty fell, the Beijing Garrison and the Imperial Guards at least had some achievements and even produced a few generals. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot seemed to have disappeared and played no role at all.

He hasn't even trained the Beijing Garrison and the Imperial Guards yet, so naturally, the useless Embroidered Uniform Guards will have to be dealt with last.

The reason he allowed Wei Zhongxian to control the Embroidered Uniform Guard was actually to make use of him and to hand him a weapon. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard was gone, how would he deal with the Donglin Party and the Qi-Chu-Zhe Party?

(End of this chapter)