Huangming

Chapter 42 The Embroidered Uniform Guard Expands, Ready to Launch

Not long after Fang Congzhe left, Duke Zhang Weixian of England, eunuch Wei Zhongxian of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Luo Sigong, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, arrived at Cining Palace.

After a series of greetings, the three were offered seats in round-backed chairs.

Zhu Youxiao looked around at the three men and asked, "How is the investigation into corruption progressing?"

"The matter is complex and involves too many things. At present, the thorough investigation into corruption is still in the preparation stage."

Duke Zhang Weixian of England answered truthfully.

"Haven't things been sorted out after several days?" Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with the progress of the investigation into corruption.

With a fawning smile on his face, Wei Zhongxian bowed and said obsequiously, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The Duke of Yingguo has been working tirelessly day and night, exhausting all his efforts. However, the matter is complicated, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard is short-handed, so the progress is naturally slow."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao said, "If the number of Jinyiwei is insufficient, we can recruit more. We can increase the number of detectives and special agents by 3000 to provide for our use."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian was overjoyed.

With an additional 3,000 positions, how many people can be accommodated?

From now on, who in the Embroidered Uniform Guard would dare disobey Wei Zhongxian's orders?

"Commander-in-Chief."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Luo Sigong and said, "The expanded Embroidered Uniform Guard should be carefully vetted to prevent the occurrence of ghost employees. In addition, thoroughly investigating corruption is a task that offends people. The Embroidered Uniform Guard should take this opportunity to conduct self-examination. If they commit heinous crimes, I will not stand idly by."

Luo Sigong immediately nodded and said, "This subordinate understands."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard protected the palace and served as the emperor's henchmen, while censors viewed them as a monstrous threat.

Relying on their privileges, the Embroidered Uniform Guards often extorted money from officials and wealthy merchants. As for monopolizing the black market in the capital and colluding with eunuchs for profit, that was commonplace.

Zhu Youxiao's meaning was very clear: you Jinyiwei have the guts to do it, but you can't be found out. If someone catches you red-handed, he will absolutely not tolerate it.

The reason for saying this was that Zhu Youxiao had already foreseen that the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with the support of imperial power, would begin to expand its influence.

Furthermore, Zhu Youxiao knew without even thinking about what kind of grotesque and unfit individuals would be added by the sudden increase of three thousand Imperial Guards.

But sometimes, certain intelligence gathering and dirty, tiring jobs can only be done by these kinds of thugs and hooligans.

They're temporary workers.

There was no pressure at all when it was time to let go.

Unlike the hereditary military households of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, these people were mostly descendants of founding heroes. It was almost impossible to get them to do anything, and if you asked them to take the blame, who knows what kind of trouble they might cause.

The Ming Dynasty is a dilapidated ship; for now, we can only repair it and mend it until he has completely seized power, at which point he can implement a plan to change the world!
“We will thoroughly investigate the corruption case. Other cases can be put aside for now. We will focus our investigation on these 21 people.”

Zhu Youxiao slowly read out the names of the twenty-one people, while Wei Chao, holding a brush, wrote down all the names.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Weixian, Wei Zhongxian, and Luo Sigong showed unusual expressions.

Are these all people from the Sixth Department?
“Your Majesty, the affairs of the Six Ministries are of great importance. If twenty-one people are investigated, wouldn’t the Six Ministries be unable to function?” Zhang Weixian said cautiously.

Zhu Youxiao coldly said, "The Ming Dynasty can function even without anyone, let alone a few censors?"

The three were still unaware of what had happened and were completely confused.

Zhu Youxiao simply said, "The Six Ministries bear heavy responsibilities, which is why corrupt officials cannot be mixed in. What the Six Ministries need are loyal ministers who are selfless, impartial, and devoted to the country."

As things stand now, whether it's an imperial edict or a draft proposal from the cabinet, once it involves factional strife, things become very difficult to handle, and even if they can be accomplished, they will be delayed indefinitely.

If it's a normal matter, a slight delay is fine. But if it concerns matters of national importance, then time is life. Opportunities are fleeting, and even a moment's delay can lead to missing the chance for a great victory and swallowing the bitter pill of defeat.

And then there's disaster relief and the resettlement of displaced people. You ministers, sitting in the palace, won't go hungry, but those common people are starving, forced to sell their children to survive. If disaster relief is delayed even for a moment, hundreds or thousands of lives will be lost.

If we are not careful, it could easily ignite a prairie fire and lead to an uprising.

Zhu Youxiao now knew that the enemy was not the Later Jin, but was in the Forbidden City!
If it weren't for these people dragging us down, what would be the point of the Jurchens?

"Within half a month, I want to investigate these twenty people thoroughly. If they are indeed guilty of embezzlement, present the evidence directly. If not, there is no need to fabricate evidence." Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Zhongxian.

If they were all as innocent as Yang Lian, they would naturally be promoted and leave the Six Ministries.

But if one is not clean...
A cold glint flashed in Zhu Youxiao's eyes.

"The servant understands."

This was a task assigned to him by His Majesty, so naturally he had to do it well.

He is currently a eunuch serving in the Directorate of Ceremonial. Only by making meritorious contributions can he rise higher and become a person second only to the emperor!
As for fabricating evidence...

Were all those members of the Donglin Party truly incorruptible?
If that's the case, where would they get the money to go on romantic escapades with geishas, ​​or to buy property in the Forbidden City?
A thorough investigation would likely reveal that none of them are clean.

"The three of you bear heavy responsibilities; do not fail me or the people of the world."

Zhang Weixian, Wei Zhongxian, and Luo Sigong immediately said, "Your Majesty, we are willing to die for you and dare not fail to live up to your grace."

After giving the instructions, Zhu Youxiao let them get to work.

Then Zhu Youxiao turned to Wei Chao and said, "Wei Chao."

"The servant is here."

Despite Wang Tiqian's encouragement, Wei Chao still felt somewhat resentful that he couldn't participate in the thorough investigation of corruption.

Seeing Wei Zhongxian's smug and self-satisfied appearance made him even angrier.

Now, when the two meet in private, Wei Zhongxian no longer calls him "ancestor" or "father," but directly addresses him as "brother of the Wei dynasty."

His seniority dropped by one level due to the power he wielded.

How could he accept this?

"I am concerned that someone may be embezzling money in the process of thoroughly investigating corruption. I grant you the authority to act expediently and secretly monitor whether the Embroidered Uniform Guard has accepted bribes, colluded with each other, or committed any illegal acts during the investigation."

Once the emperor's henchmen are out in force, innocent people will inevitably be harmed.

While sharpening his claws and teeth, Zhu Youxiao also needed to be prepared to restrain them at any time.

Do not let a sharp weapon harm you.

A thorough investigation into corruption will be conducted, and at least 90% of the money seized will be returned to the national treasury.

This is Zhu Youxiao's bottom line.

If this line is crossed, Zhu Youxiao will definitely make him Yan Maoqing of the Jiajing era, and make him bleed from the ashes.

My money!
Who dares to seize it?

(End of this chapter)