Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 338 The Essential Difference: The Role of the Secret Guard
"Are they trying to control the government?"

"It's not a pipe dream, it's something we've been doing all along."

Zhu Jinzhen refuted Yan Yimei's statement, his expression cold: "They talk about benevolence and morality all the time, putting on a show of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, but are they truly loyal to the emperor? Are they truly patriotic?"

"No, none of them!"

"In their minds, there are no dynasties that last for a thousand years, only aristocratic families that last for a thousand years."

"As long as the family can prosper and continue to thrive, and as long as we can acquire enough profits."

"They dare to do anything, and they dare to touch any taboo."

"just like……"

"Even though they knew it was hopeless, they still dared to throw out a few pawns to test me one after another."

Zhu Jinzhen knew all too well the true colors of Ming Dynasty officials.

For three hundred years, the Ming Dynasty nurtured scholars, ultimately producing a group of cowardly and self-serving individuals. Zhu Jinzhen did not deny that there were upright officials in the court, honest and virtuous officials who were dedicated to the country, but how many were there?

Zhu Jinzhen was unaware of this.

Even with the powerful intelligence force of the Xuanjia Secret Guard, he still didn't know.

However, Zhu Jinzhen had secret guards to help him gather intelligence, and he also knew one thing well.

The officials of the Ming Dynasty were not much different from the evaluations of later generations. If every one of them was executed, none of them would be innocent. On the contrary, a large number of them would escape the net.

"Isn't that the same as the powerful clans in the Sui Dynasty?"

Huang Rong muttered angrily in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jinzhen smiled and looked at her, saying, "There is still a difference. In the Sui Dynasty, the powerful clans and noble families were deeply rooted, while Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty completely eradicated this trend of powerful clans and vigorously promoted the imperial examination system when he founded the dynasty."

"One is based on 'ethnicity,' and the other is based on 'talent.'"

"The two countries still have fundamentally different spheres of influence."

"At least in our Great Ming Dynasty, there is still room for advancement through studying and taking the imperial examinations. In the Great Sui Dynasty, this path was completely blocked. No matter how talented you are, without the recommendation of powerful families or the background of a prominent clan, it is difficult to even hope for fame or official rank, let alone rise to a higher position."

“The Evil King Shi Zhixuan is the best example.”

Immediately afterward, Zhu Jinzhen recounted how Shi Zhixuan, disguised as Pei Ju, served as an official and helped the Sui Dynasty manage the Western Regions, forming alliances and counter-alliances over a few years, which astonished Huang Rong and Yu Huatian.

After Shi Zhixuan was captured outside Jingnian Temple, the secret guards interrogated him and obtained a lot of information. Zhu Jinzhen's words were not unfounded.

"The Evil King Shi Zhixuan is said to have become a celestial being in his early years. Later, he used the Immortal Seal Technique and his amazing talent to break through the barrier to becoming a terrestrial immortal. How could he need to take on the identity of the Pei family of Hedong?" Huang Rong felt her scalp itch and had the illusion that she was about to open her brain.

Land gods!
Looking across the world, wherever he went, he was treated as an honored guest, even emperors had to treat him with courtesy.

As a result, in the Sui Dynasty, one needed to rely on the powerful families of a prominent clan to become an official.
It's simply magical.

Zhu Jinzhen smiled; he knew this was somewhat absurd.

One reason is that Shi Zhixuan is a demonic king of the demonic sect, which is intolerable to the righteous path of the Great Sui Dynasty.

On the other hand... it also illustrates the cruelty of the Sui Dynasty.

The powerful clans of the Sui Dynasty blocked all opportunities for ordinary people and those from humble backgrounds to rise in society. In contrast, the Song and Ming Dynasties vigorously promoted the imperial examination system and recommended talented individuals. This is why even a dignified immortal like Shi Zhixuan had to use an alias just to have a chance to display his knowledge.

Indeed, it's outrageous.

"They control the most resources, yet they are reluctant to part with even a little bit."

"Your Highness's pacification of the rebellion will be detrimental to their interests."

"But it also gave them a new opportunity, which is why they pounced on it like jackals, wanting to take a bite."

"Before they are certain that His Highness will bare his bloodthirsty fangs, they need to test His Highness's bottom line to determine how to gauge the situation, or rather... what His Highness's maximum tolerance is."

"The cabinet matter is the most important part of their probing." "Wang Qing is right." Zhu Jinzhen nodded and said, "Isn't there a saying that goes around among the people that the Ming Dynasty has the responsibility for several provinces and prefectures on their shoulders, and even the emperor cannot let them down or act arbitrarily?"

"That's probably what those officials, and the forces behind them, were thinking."

"They don't have the guts to confront me head-on."

"but……"

Zhu Jinzhen's gaze sharpened, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "Do you believe that after I ascend the throne, if I implement new policies, the events of the Fengtian Hall will repeat themselves, with several, even dozens, of pawns being thrown out, either passively complying, outwardly obeying but inwardly resisting, or even simply disobeying orders?"

"Believe it or not, the Ministry of War, the Five Military Commissions, and even the Censorate, the Six Ministries, and all the civil and military officials will keep advising me to hand over the Tian Ce and Cang Yun armies to the Ministry of War or the Five Military Commissions for direct control."

"So they'll use all sorts of excuses and pretexts to try and erode the power in my hands?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Yimei's eyebrows shot up: "They dare? Do they really think the secret guards' blades are ineffective?"

Changsun Wangqing remained silent and did not speak, while Yu Huatian lowered his head, not daring to answer.

Would those people dare?
The answer is obviously an opinion.

They dare!
Without any way to directly confront or even resist Zhu Jinzhen, the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and with their own interests being harmed, they will inevitably resort to probing and testing.

People's hearts are greedy.

The Cangyun Army and the Tiance Mansion, in particular, are even more tempting than mountains of gold and silver.

Even if they cannot directly control these two invincible armies, they will do everything in their power to try and gain control of them, as long as there is even the slightest possibility of them being used by them.

What does it matter if a few pieces die?
"Yuhuatian."

"The servant is here."

"Check according to the list." Zhu Jinzhen tossed the list that Yu Huatian handed him into the other's arms and said, "I don't trust them."

"However, if the investigation confirms that anyone is involved in this case, there is no need to report it; they will all be locked up and imprisoned."

"Yes!"

Yu Huatian bowed and accepted the order.

In terms of intelligence, she knew she couldn't compare to Yan Yimei's Xuanjia Secret Guard, nor to the Eastern Depot, the Dragon Guard Manor, or the Embroidered Uniform Guard—these were all large organizations with intelligence backgrounds.

But, murder and confiscation of property.

The Western Depot was also an expert, and no less so than the aforementioned agencies.

Changsun Wangqing watched Yu Huatian leave, having received his orders, and asked, "Your Highness seems to value him highly?"

"Ah."

Zhu Jinzhen did not deny it, and nodded, saying, "The Secret Guard is indeed very good, but in the end, most of them are from the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world). Although they are strictly controlled in terms of character selection, they are ultimately not as professional as the Eastern Depot, Western Depot, and Embroidered Uniform Guard, which are imperial organizations."

"My vision for the Secret Guard is not merely to be like the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but to surpass them, to be my own exclusive Secret Guard directly under my command, to monitor not only all officials in the country, but also the Eastern and Western Depots, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Dragon Guard Manor, and other court intelligence agencies."

“Yimei and Luoyang are both very good, but they are ultimately from military backgrounds. In some aspects, they are not as useful as someone like Yu Huatian.” Zhu Jinzhen said, looking at Yan Yimei and shaking his head meaningfully.

Although Zhu Jinzhen did not explain, the three women present were all very intelligent and naturally guessed what Zhu Jinzhen meant.

Yu Huatian was a eunuch, and from the Western Depot, so he could do whatever he wanted.

Although the secret guards could also do it, they could never be as ruthless and merciless as the Eastern Depot, Yu Huatian, or the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Zhu Jinzhen had a wealth of skilled men under his command, with a diverse array of talents.

If there's anything lacking, it's a dog that's obedient, docile, and knows how to bite.

(End of this chapter)