Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 7: Whether a minister is loyal or treacherous depends mainly on the leader.

"This servant obeys the decree! However..."

After hesitating for a moment, Wang Chengen finally spoke up and expressed his concerns.

If it were based on His Majesty's previous temperament, he would never have dared to say it, but now His Majesty has changed quite a bit.

"However, there are many people and many eyes in the palace, so this matter may..."

Zhu Youjian nodded: "I know. You just need to take care of this matter. There is no need to worry about anything else."

"Have you found those two hundred loyal eunuchs yet?"

"Everything has been done as Your Majesty instructed. However, Your Majesty, aren't two hundred people too few?"

Wang Chengen roughly guessed what the emperor was going to do, and couldn't help but feel fear and worry.

If His Majesty really intends to take action against the Beijing Garrison, then two hundred men are far from enough!

Zhu Youjian shook his head: "That's enough."

few?
Ultimately, the destructive power of a weapon depends on the person using it.

then.

Zhu Youjian then summoned Wei Zhongxian and said, "Go to the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard and bring fifty prisoners to Wansui Mountain (the martial arts training ground in the palace)."

Although Wei Zhongxian did not know why the emperor wanted to bring the prisoner, he immediately replied, "This servant obeys the decree!"

Then he spoke again: "Your Majesty, this servant has another matter to report!"

"explain."

"If His Majesty would allow me to give Minister of Works Xue Fengxiang a good talking-to, then a large sum of money could be saved on the cost of building the late Emperor's mausoleum, which could alleviate the current urgent needs of the national treasury."

It's true that Wei Zhongxian loved money, and he was indeed willing to take any kind of money.

Military pay, salt tax, and the sale of official positions.
There's nothing he wouldn't dare to do.

But all of this has a premise: the past.

As for now
Then was before, now is now!
When life is hanging by a thread, what good is money?!

Moreover, he now harbors a deep-seated fear of the seventeen-year-old new emperor he serves.

The Emperor's methods of winning people's hearts and his skill in maintaining checks and balances, coupled with the unpredictable imperial authority in the court today.

Although he had only been in contact with the emperor for two short days, Wei Zhongxian had already figured it out – this was a true young emperor.

Although I felt fear.

But Wei Zhongxian still sincerely hoped that the emperor's power would grow ever greater.

He and the Donglin Party were mortal enemies.

Only a strong enough emperor can protect him.

Zhu Youjian shook his head: "No need for now."

"This servant obeys the decree! In the future, Your Majesty may command me at any time if needed, and this servant will obey without question!"

Wei Zhongxian bowed and took his leave, hurrying off to carry out his duties.

Soon.

He then brought the prisoner to Wansui Mountain.

What Wei Zhongxian didn't expect was...

He had set his expectations as high as possible, but it seems he ultimately underestimated the might of Heaven.

Zhu Youjian was accompanied by Wang Chengen, and behind him stood a group of eunuchs holding swords.

Looking at those prisoners.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, and Wang Chengen opened two large boxes filled with silver next to him.

At this time.

Zhu Youjian said calmly, "From this day forward, you will be my personal guards, and those prisoners will be your first test."

"Use the swords in your hands to kill them."

"The first person to kill the enemy will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver, the person who kills the most enemies will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver, and those who show bravery will be promoted to squad leader, platoon leader, centurion, or even commander of the guards."

"The rest of the people also received rewards."

Zhu Youjian finished speaking.

Among the crowd were already some clever young eunuchs who had gleaned the meaning from the emperor's words.

His Majesty has just ascended the throne and is currently short of manpower, which is why this martial arts exercise is being held. If I perform well enough to attract His Majesty's attention, I will surely rise rapidly in rank in the future.

They were all people in the palace; who didn't know that the closer one was to the emperor, the higher one's status?
Not to mention the piles of silver coins right in front of them.

It's too late to say.

While the other eunuchs were still pondering and hesitating, a strong young man had already charged forward with a knife in hand.

See this.

The remaining eunuchs all shouted and rushed forward.

These young eunuchs were all around fifteen or sixteen years old.

What does this age mean?
They would even dare to behead a Grand Secretary if the Emperor gave the order.

As for the consequences?

Let's just execute him first; it was the Emperor's order anyway.

soon.

The muscular young man at the forefront slashed a prisoner with his sword, and the rest of the group were also roused to courage by this blow.

They are not so afraid of the dead.

In the imperial palace, every year a number of eunuchs and palace maids die.
The sounds of fighting immediately filled the Wansui Mountain martial arts arena.

Zhu Youjian sat in his chair, looking at the scene before him. Although his face showed no expression, he was quite satisfied.

These young eunuchs had no sense of coordination or method among themselves.

However, because they were eunuchs, they were taller than ordinary people, and the fierceness that belonged to youth had not been completely worn away.

With just a little training, they can become a true iron-blooded guard.

It was also at this time.

Wei Zhongxian swallowed hard, his mind already made up: He would do everything His Majesty had instructed him to do unconditionally, and he would also try his best to do everything he could to accomplish anything His Majesty had not instructed him to do.

There is no other reason.

Screams and pleas for mercy could be heard not far ahead.

However, the emperor beside him still had the same expression as always, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, and his body was faintly exuding a terrifying pressure.

With his experience, Wei Zhongxian naturally understood what all of this meant.

At the same time, Wei Zhongxian was also very fortunate that he still had some use to the emperor.

He then remembered the task the emperor had assigned him to confiscate property, so he secretly added more responsibility to his duties.

Over the years, I have amassed a considerable fortune, and I must allocate a portion of it to ease the Emperor's burdens.

and also.

The adopted sons they raided this time were just small fry; none of their real core henchmen have been touched yet.

The Emperor has only just ascended the throne. Once he truly holds power, those people will definitely be replaced by the Emperor.

Instead of doing that, it would be better to take the money and give it to the Emperor to replenish his private treasury.

Moreover, judging from the emperor's demeanor, he will surely become a wise and capable ruler who can make decisions on the world's affairs.

The emperor cares deeply about the country and must also do things that benefit the people.

It's time to justly separate those "five tigers and ten dogs" and the like.

Wei Zhongxian himself was somewhat aware of the administrative capabilities of this group of people.

Although this would cause considerable backlash, as long as the emperor protects him, none of this is a problem.

In a word.

For eunuchs like them, whether they were treacherous or loyal ministers depended entirely on the emperor's mind.

If the emperor wanted, Qin Hui could also become a proponent of war.

Wang Chengen, who stood respectfully on the other side, didn't think much of it.

This was the first time he had witnessed such a battle up close, and he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

But when he noticed the emperor sitting calmly and immovably beside him, he couldn't help but feel a little more composed and courageous.

And those four words came to mind again—Heaven bless the Ming Dynasty.

　When Chongzhen first ascended the throne, he could definitely attract a group of people to serve him wholeheartedly, because at that time, no one had yet discovered that he couldn't even take responsibility for his subordinates' affairs.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)