Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 195 Jinyiwei's Promotion
In his youth, Shang Jingying was a man of both civil and military talents, skilled in writing, riding, and archery, and even possessing excellent marksmanship. Even in his old age, Shang Jingying remained vigorous, walking with a vigorous gait. If it were a matter of skill rather than strength, he would be as good as any other soldier.

Therefore, he walked to the Southern Study, but when he returned to the Imperial Stables, he curled up in the sedan chair called by Wang An.

Shang Jingying felt truly old, so old he couldn't even maintain his integrity in his later years. Unlike Wang An, he had no grand ambitions like "becoming the next Sanbao eunuch." After turning sixty, he simply hoped the emperor would grant him a well-wishered burial plot. It would be even better if a highly respected contemporary scholar, out of genuine sincerity, spontaneously inscribed a "quite praiseworthy" epitaph for him after his passing, as Huang Jin and Chen Ju had done.

But Shang Jingying, curled up in his huddle, felt that he could no longer secure these things. The emperor's words of encouragement lingered in his ears, a warm spring breeze that, instead, stabbed him like a sharp knife, piercing his heart. He closed his eyes and silently shed tears.

After turning the last intersection, Han Benyong, who was accompanying the sedan chair, saw Yang Songquan guarding the gate of the Imperial Stables from afar.

Yang Songquan also saw them, so he immediately picked up his robe and ran over. Suddenly seeing the outline of the sedan chair, Yang Songquan immediately realized that the emperor did not vent his anger on his godfather because of the sins of his two junior brothers, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

"Godfather!" Yang Songquan kowtowed several times quickly, then moved closer to the sedan chair. But when he really saw the haggard old face covered in blood and tears, Yang Songquan immediately burst into tears uncontrollably: "Godfather! What's wrong with you?"

"Alas! Ha!" Shang Jingying laughed bitterly at himself, turbid tears welling up from the corners of his eyes again. "I beg to die, but I can't."

"Yang Chenshu, this was done by our ancestor Shang himself." Han Ben felt sad. Shang Jingying's weak appearance reminded him of his deceased godfather.

His godfather was Li Jian, the former eunuch who served as the chief steward of the Eastern Palace. In the 43rd year of the Wanli reign, the villain Zhang Cha entered the palace with the intention of assassinating Emperor Xuanzong. Assisted by Liu Cheng, the eunuch from the Zheng Palace, he was able to proceed unimpeded until he was stopped by Li Jian at the gate of the Ciqing Palace. A fight ensued between the two. Han Benyong, then serving as the Crown Prince's eunuch, rushed to the scene and subdued and arrested Zhang Cha in the front hall. However, Li Jian had already been knocked unconscious by the jujube wood club wielded by Zhang Cha. Thanks to prompt medical attention, Li Jian was temporarily out of danger, but he ultimately died in the winter of the 43rd year of the Wanli reign.

"It's cold outside, let's go in and talk." Han Benyong tucked the blanket covering Shang Jingying's upper body and said gently.

------

After the group entered the Imperial Stables and settled Shang Jingying, Han Benyong did not mention the emperor's instructions to Shang Jingying, but took the initiative to get to the point: "Yang Chenshu, the people from the East Factory should have been here, right?"

"Yes. A fairly polite captain came." Yang Songquan was so flustered that he forgot the captain's name. "But he didn't come in to arrest anyone."

"No one was arrested?" Han Benyong asked doubtfully.

"I'm sorry. I didn't express myself clearly." Yang Songquan felt exhausted. "I took those two unworthy junior brothers and gave them to him."

"It's okay." Han Benyong expressed his understanding.

"I know this isn't my place to comment, but..." Yang Songquan hesitated. "But I still want to ask, how will the Lord deal with them?"

"I don't know." Han Benyong was helpless; he wasn't Wang An's godson. "The Emperor took pity on Old Ancestor Shang and ordered Old Ancestor Wang to hand Chen Feng and Liang Yong over to the Imperial Household Department." Han Benyong guessed, "Don't worry, they'll probably be spared and live."

"I think this website should not be opened." Yang Songquan said after calming down.

"Oh?" Han Benyong was very surprised. "Aren't they your junior apprentices?"

"Godfather's rules have always been very strict. But after those two evil creatures were sent abroad, what did he do about them? He just wrote letters from time to time, asking them to restrain themselves." Yang Songquan said, "They forgot Godfather's teachings and betrayed the late emperor's trust and favor. Not only did they embezzle the palace's money, but they also brought disgrace upon the late emperor. Your Majesty is merciful, but how can such a serious crime be forgiven lightly?"

Yang Songquan sincerely believed that the late Emperor Wanli was right to send eunuchs out of the palace to increase revenue. The late Emperor's partiality to the eunuchs over the civil officials was a sign of his trust and protection for his servants. Since the late Emperor was innocent, yet he treated these rootless, floating creatures so favorably, then those who were guilty would only be failing the late Emperor and endangering their godfather's future.

"You are a eunuch in the palace, and you have the merit of protecting the emperor. You are very important in the heart of the master. I would like to ask you for a favor." Yang Songquan requested.

"You can talk as you please, Secretary Yang." Han Benyong nodded slightly.

"Please ask His Majesty to kill those two evil beasts." Yang Songquan said.

"Why do you insist on killing them? Isn't it a way to atone for your sins if they are imprisoned forever in the Imperial Household Department?" Han Benyong asked.

"After getting old, my godfather's only wish was to retire after achieving success and leaving a good reputation. But these two evil creatures have ruined my godfather's reputation. Only by letting them die can my godfather be righteous and not protect their rebellious sons. Seeing my godfather like this, I feel so distressed. Your Majesty is wise and did not vent his anger on me because of the affairs of my junior brothers, but I am afraid that he will die of depression or even commit suicide to save his reputation. I want to be filial to him for a few more years." As he said this, Yang Songquan actually knelt down to Han Benyong. "I beg you."

Han Benyong thought about it for a moment and realized that this made sense. If his fellow apprentices brought shame upon his godfather, Li Jianquan, he would also sacrifice his own family for the greater good. "I can tell my master what you said." Han Benyong helped Yang Songquan up and said, "From now on, I will be the one holding the seal of the Imperial Horse Administration. I think you are very good. How about continuing to be the Chief Secretary?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Master Seal. I was raised by my godfather, and I must be filial to him." Yang Songquan shook his head, forced a smile, and said, "The seal of the government office is on the desk that godfather often uses. You should do your job well and be loyal to the emperor like Li Zongguan did."

------

A little earlier, in the East Office compound, Hai Zhentao had already finished his check-in.

"Lu Wenzhao, Hai Bokang, Lu Jianxing, Shen Lian, and Yin Li step out." Hai Zhentao stood in front of all the officers and students of the East Office, holding a sword.

"Yes!" Although the destination was the open space in front of Hai Zhentao, Hai Bokang flashed out from beside Hai Zhentao, while Lu Wenzhao walked out of the military column with Lu, Shen, Yin and three others.

"The Commander-in-Chief has given an order!" Hai Zhentao said, and the five men immediately knelt on one knee with their swords in their arms.

"For your contributions in solving the Donglin Party case, Lu Wenzhao will be promoted to deputy captain, Hai Bokang to trial captain, Lu Jianxing and Shen Lian to general flags. Yin Li will also be awarded a small flag." Hai Zhentao waved his hand, and a captain holding an empty wooden tray behind him immediately walked up to the five people.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenzhao trembled with excitement. While both were promotions, the promotion from a centurion to a deputy centurion was far more significant. It meant he had officially entered the ranks of the Jinyiwei's senior officers, opening up the possibility of further advancement. Remember, Luo Sigong, who had served in the three major expeditions as a member of the Jinyiwei, was only officially promoted to a centurion upon his return.

He excitedly took off his badge and placed it on the wooden tray with a slight tremor. Then, Hai, Lu, Shen and the other three followed suit.

This is a collection badge. The Jinyiwei, who investigated commoners and monitored officials, held immense power. Consequently, over the years, unscrupulous vagrants and thugs used the Jinyiwei's name to intimidate and extort merchants. These vagrants and thugs often forged their own badges, imperial edicts, and imprisonment books to identify themselves. However, these were often crudely crafted, effectively deceiving unsophisticated merchants from other provinces.

However, if they somehow obtained a legitimate Jinyiwei badge, they could intimidate local merchants in the capital, and even flee to other provinces to extort local officials. To minimize this, each Jinyiwei officer was only allowed to carry one badge, and each government office would regularly inspect officers to see if they had lost one. Lost badges would, of course, be replaced, but officers would inevitably be punished with beatings and salary deductions. Repeated losses could lead to demotion.

Whenever someone was promoted or demoted, the yamen would take back their old badge and issue a new one. This was the only favor the yamen could offer. The yamen never issued valuable items like official uniforms, which could easily cost over ten taels of silver. Officials had to pay someone to make them themselves.

After checking the four badges, Hai Zhentao began to call out the names one by one. "Lu Wenzhao."

"Yes." Lu Wenzhao felt like he was floating as he walked, as if he was about to step into the sky.

"Congratulations." Hai Zhentao took a badge from a plate held by another captain, and held it in his hand. The front of the badge was engraved with: "Jinyiwei, Dongsifang, Deputy Captain Lu Wenzhao"; the back of the badge was engraved with: "Jinyiwei officials wear this badge. Those without the badge will be punished according to the law. Borrowers and lenders will be punished the same way"; and "Do not use outside the capital" and other words.

"I kowtow to thank His Majesty for His Divine Grace. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!" Lu Wenzhao kowtowed towards the Forbidden City before standing up and accepting the badge. "Thank you, Your Excellency."

"After everyone leaves, come to the quiet room alone. I have something very important to tell you." Hai Zhentao said in a low voice.

"Yes, sir." Lu Wenzhao smiled brightly.

"Go." Hai Zhentao patted Lu Wenzhao's shoulder encouragingly.

Then, Hai Zhentao issued badges to Hai Bokang, Lu Jianxing, Shen Lian, Yin Li and others, and the same process was followed.

------

"Captain." After the meeting was over, Lu Jianxing called out to Lu Wenzhao.

"What? Is there something wrong?" Lu Wenzhao was stunned for a moment before realizing that someone was calling him.

Lu Jianxing originally wanted to say a few words of thanks, but seeing that Lu Wenzhao seemed to have something to worry about, he said directly: "The Lantern Festival is coming soon, and I want to take Shen Lian back to my hometown to see my mother."

"Okay, I'll just tell her about the promotion and make her happy." Lu Wenzhao nodded. "I'm going to go see the assistant minister, I'll just tell him later."

"Thank you, sir." Lu Jianxing bowed deeply.

"Why are you so polite?" Lu Wenzhao patted Lu Jianxing on the shoulder, then went straight to the quiet room.

"Brother, if there's nothing else, we'll leave first." Shen Lian and Yin Li said hello to Lu Jianxing and wanted to turn around and leave for Nuanxiang Pavilion.

"Stop." Lu Jianxing grabbed Shen Lian, and Yin Li also stopped.

"Brother, is there anything wrong?" Shen Lian asked.

"Have some ambition and stop thinking about visiting brothels all day long, okay?" Lu Jianxing said.

"I have no work to do, so why not visit brothels?" Shen Lian shrugged. "Should I learn to drink and chant, or write poetry?"

Lu Jianxing was so angry that he slapped Shen Lian on the head: "We were able to move up this level because of the adults. The Lantern Festival is almost here, and you didn't even think about buying something to honor us."

"Doesn't our master refuse to accept filial gifts?" Yin Li also asked.

"Buy some rice, flour, grain, oil, and meat, really." Lu Jianxing took the two of them out of the Dongsifang Yamen and walked towards the nearest market.

------

Lu Wenzhao came to the quiet room in the back hall and found that only Hai Zhentao was inside.

"Sir." Lu Wenzhao stepped forward and saluted.

"There are no outsiders here, so don't be so distant." Hai Zhentao held Lu Wenzhao's arm, led him to a chair, and then sat down on another chair next to it.

"Thank you, Lord Taishan, for your support." Lu Wenzhao changed his words obediently.

"I didn't promote you. You've made it on your own." Hai Zhentao said with a smile, "My son, who doesn't have much brains, got a promotion thanks to you."

"Lord Taishan, you are too kind." Lu Wenzhao declined humbly, "I was just lucky. Brother Qichu is very smart and wise. If he were to handle this matter, he would definitely do a better job than me." Hai Bokang's courtesy name is Qichu.

Hai Zhentao smiled and shook his head, then got to the point. "I called you here today to discuss two matters. One personal, one official. Both are very important. Which one do you want to hear first?"

"If Lord Taishan wants me to do something, just tell me, and I will do my best." If Hai Zhentao hadn't asked him to change his mind in the quiet room, he would definitely listen to the official business first.

"It's not an order, just a discussion. Ultimately, whether this will succeed depends on your willingness." Hai Zhentao took a sip of tea before continuing, "Within six months, you've been promoted twice. You're now a fifth-rank official in the imperial court. But you only have a wife and no concubines. This is outrageous. If word gets out, people will think there's a jealous woman in my Hai family. I've found a good match for you and I'd like to ask for your opinion."

Although the Great Ming Code clearly states that only those who are 40 years old and childless can marry concubines, and violators will be flogged forty times, this provision was abolished after the death of Emperor Taizu, and few people strictly enforced it.

(End of this chapter)