Chapter Fourteen: As everyone knows, the Emperor of the Great Ming is highly water-soluble!
Just as he was lost in thought, Zhu Cilang’s voice rang out again.
“Fang Zhenghua, I command you to select two thousand eunuchs within the palace, train them in martial arts, and form a new Jing Army.”
“This Jing Army will henceforth be personally led by you, accompanying me at all times.”
“Furthermore, I intend to reestablish the Eastern and Western Factories. Once that is accomplished, the position of Supervisor of the Western Factory will be entrusted to you.”
Upon hearing this, Fang Zhenghua’s entire body trembled violently. Training a new Jing Army and commanding them was already an immense power and responsibility; and yet the Crown Prince would also appoint him as Supervisor of the Western Factory?
It must be understood that although the Western Factory existed only briefly during the Ming Dynasty, its power was absolute and supreme.
Back in the day, Wei Zhongxian, who wielded unparalleled influence, was the Supervisor of the Western Factory!
“I thank Your Highness, the Crown Prince! I shall devote my life and loyalty to Your Highness without hesitation!” Fang Zhenghua hastily kowtowed again in gratitude.
The power of eunuchs derived less from the emperor himself and more from imperial authority.
Because emperors may die, but imperial authority endures; as long as the empire remains, the imperial authority shall never perish.
Therefore, when Zhu Cilang rebelled, Fang Zhenghua, one of Emperor Chongzhen’s most trusted eunuchs, chose not to act against him.
Even if Zhu Cilang truly intended to kill him, he would accept his fate.
For this was the destiny of eunuchs—they depended on imperial authority, lived for it, and died for it.
Just as he pondered this, Zhu Cilang’s voice sounded again.
“By the way, every member of the Jing Army must be able to swim. Those who cannot will be sent to train until they can!”
Hmm...
Fang Zhenghua was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why all the Jing Army had to be able to swim.
Of course, whether he understood or not, he had no choice but to obey.
“As you command, Your Highness!”
The reason Zhu Cilang made such a demand was entirely because Ming emperors were prone to drowning.
Looking back, there was Emperor Zhu Houzhao.
More recently, there was Zhu Youxiao.
Although he himself could swim, it was better to be prepared for such an eventuality...
In the blink of an eye, another hour passed.
Just as Zhu Cilang prepared to rest for a moment to gather energy for the morning court, the guards responsible for monitoring the Duke of Ying’s mansion suddenly returned.
“Your Highness, Zhang Shize, heir of the Duke of Ying, is calling at the gate. He says the Duke has urgent business to discuss with Your Highness!”
Hmm?
Zhu Cilang was momentarily taken aback, but then relaxed.
Obviously, the Duke of Ying could no longer wait until morning.
In that case, he would see them now.
“Bring him in. I am curious to hear what he has to say,” Zhu Cilang ordered.
The guards received the command and left immediately.
Half an hour earlier, Zhang Zhiji, Duke of Ying, had grown increasingly fearful.
Although based on what Zhang Shize had conveyed, he roughly understood that Zhu Cilang did not intend to harm him.
However, matters concerning one’s life, property, and even clan were too serious to not discuss face to face.
After much consideration, he ultimately resolved to meet the Crown Prince.
To prevent the guards at the gate from mistakenly thinking he was signaling other nobles, he had his son Zhang Shize call out.
After all, Zhang Shize had just rebelled alongside the Crown Prince. The guards at the gate certainly recognized him, so no misunderstanding would arise.
The guards outside were ordered to kill the Duke of Ying immediately if anyone came out of his estate.
But when they saw Zhang Shize calling from the gate and that he had not left the mansion, they did not act.
Instead, they reported the Duke’s desire to meet Zhu Cilang.
Thus, only after the message was delivered did the Duke and his son enter the palace hastily under guard.
Coincidentally, as the Duke and his son arrived at the palace gates, they happened upon Luo Yangxing, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wang Xiantong of the Former Five Armies Command, and Li Guozhen, Governor of the Capital Garrison.
Wang Xiantong appeared fine, but Li Guozhen and Luo Yangxing seemed somewhat uneasy.
Behind them trailed numerous guards carrying several large chests.
The Duke of Ying desperately wanted to know what was inside those chests, but considering the current situation, he said nothing.
Thus, the group was brought before Zhu Cilang.
Zhu Cilang was somewhat surprised to see them together.
Clearly, he had not expected these men to gather.
Immediately, all knelt simultaneously; even the Duke of Ying knelt.
There was no choice—at such a time, one must kneel.
“We pay our respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
“We pay our respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
...
After the kowtowing ceased, Zhu Cilang waved them up.
“Rise.”
Zhang Zhiji and his son stood, as did Wang Xiantong, but Luo Yangxing and Li Guozhen remained kneeling.
Luo Yangxing was the first to speak:
“Your Highness, I have just pacified the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The thirteen thousand guards in the capital are fully prepared and await your orders at any time!”
“Additionally, I have just tallied my possessions—totaling 1.2 million taels of silver and 60,000 taels of gold. I have brought it all with me!”
As he spoke, the chests were brought in.
Upon opening, they were filled to the brim with silver and gold.
Luo Yangxing could have brought these tomorrow, but the more he thought about it, the more fearful he became, so he brought them this very night.
After all, he could not keep these treasures anyway; the sooner he presented them, the sooner he could rest easy.
Zhu Cilang smiled but said nothing, then turned his gaze to Li Guozhen, who was still kneeling.
“Count of Xiangcheng, what troubles you now?” Zhu Cilang asked with a smile, feigning ignorance.
“Your Highness, I... I deserve death!” Li Guozhen said, bowing his head heavily again.
At that moment, another group of guards entered carrying large chests...
Earlier, upon receiving Zhu Cilang’s orders, Li Guozhen hurried back to the Capital Garrison to pacify the troops.
Once all was settled and calm returned, he suddenly sensed something was amiss.
Reflecting on the Crown Prince’s eerie smile before he left, combined with the promises of replenishing military pay and distributing an additional five taels of silver to each soldier, Li Guozhen broke out in a cold sweat.
He finally realized!
The Crown Prince intended to reform the Capital Garrison!
Previously, although Emperor Chongzhen had considered reforming the Capital Garrison, every attempt was thwarted by noble families who received advance warning and did everything possible to obstruct.
Thus, no reform ever succeeded.
But now was different—because as Governor of the Capital Garrison, he had become a traitor in the Emperor’s eyes, a loyal follower of the Crown Prince’s rebellion.
Henceforth, he could only rely on the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince wished to reform the Capital Garrison, he would have no power to resist.
Such a reform would be fatal...
His embezzlement of military funds would be exposed—indeed, it likely already was.
With the Crown Prince’s ruthless methods and astuteness, he surely knew all the hidden tricks...
Upon this realization, Li Guozhen could no longer remain.
He hurried back to his mansion and ordered it to be searched himself.
Then, he transported chest after chest of silver and gold before Zhu Cilang as a show of loyalty.
And thus, the scene before them unfolded.