Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 310 Excessive oppression will inevitably breed rebellion.
"Madam, please wait!"

"May Lord Hai take care!"

Haiyue, carrying a thick stack of files, walked out of the residence and bid farewell to Madam Zhou.

The case file was the culmination of Zhou Xuan's many years of hard work, and also his final entrustment before his death.

Next, while he still had the strength, the old man planned to return to the south, intending to return to his roots and pass away in his hometown.

This was also the last time the two met.

There wasn't much farewell; a simple "take care" was more meaningful than a thousand words.

Back at her home, Haiyue took out the files and carefully examined them.

The more I look at it, the more absurd it seems.

The one in the deep palace has gone mad with demonic possession.

The Jiajing Emperor had already achieved unparalleled skill in controlling the court.

The Ming Dynasty had the Embroidered Uniform Guard and made extensive use of eunuchs, establishing the Eastern and Western Depots. This was because although the Ming emperor's centralized power surpassed that of previous dynasties, he sometimes still could not control the court officials, and had to rely on these secret agents as an extension of his power.

If reasoning fails, then the Imperial Guards are deployed, along with agents from the Eastern and Western Depots, to silence the people through bloody suppression.

However, after Jiajing ascended the throne, the eunuchs completely lost their arrogance, and the presence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard also greatly diminished.

There was no other reason than that the emperor no longer needed it.

Zhu Houcong could use the imperial system to keep the officials in line, so why would he need these secret service agencies?

Of course, Jiajing was not invincible.

In the later stages of his decline, Yan Song and Xu Jie figured out his tactics one after another, and he was able to use them to deceive them in return.

Overall, however, Jiajing was undoubtedly at the top in the field of political intrigue.

The deficiency lies elsewhere.

Unfortunately, even if Zhu Houcong were not fanatically devoted to Taoism, he was still as incompetent in governing the country as he had been in history, and he wanted to take his control of the court even further.

"This is a fixed mindset, an unwillingness to step out of one's comfort zone, and an attempt to pursue the ultimate perfection in one's strengths..."

Haiyue silently shook her head.

In all human affairs, people strive to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

This person, however, did the opposite—ignoring the shortcomings and instead exaggerating the strengths.

The attempt to reform Liyuan Society was like a stunningly beautiful woman fixated on minor flaws, ignoring good advice and ruthlessly cutting away at them, ultimately destroying the entire society.

He desperately wanted to have complete control over his ministers so that he could rest easy.

Judging from the words in the case file, Zhou Xuan actually did not agree with the emperor's actions, but dared not offer any advice.

We can only hope to find the loopholes and thwart the thieves' plot.

He couldn't hold on any longer, so he placed his hopes on Haiyue.

"Old Zhou..."

"I'm going to let you down."

Haiyue made no promise at the time.

Zhou Xuan thought he didn't need to make any promises; who could question Scholar Hai's loyalty?
In fact, it was precisely Haiyue who was unwilling to make that promise.

Let alone the fact that he never had any loyalty to the emperor from the beginning, even if he did, it would have been completely worn away by the suspicion between the emperor and his minister.

After all, Zhou Xuan was not the only minister who endured humiliation and hardship; there was another one before him.

Wang Zuo, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

What became of Wang Zuo?
With this thought in mind, Haiyue's eyes flickered slightly as she turned to the section on the Southern Tour.

The dossier records Wang Zuo's achievements, detailing his forbearance and luring the leader of the Liyuan Society out of hiding, and also records the cause of his death.

Eight characters.

Accidentally injuring the dragon's offspring is an act of insubordination.

"So that's what happened!"

Haiyue pondered, her eyes brightening slightly.

In fact, even Wang Zuo himself didn't quite understand why Zhu Houcong did this when he died.
In terms of maximizing profits, it's completely unnecessary.

Wang Zuo was inherently loyal and devoted to the Ming Dynasty and the Emperor. He was also capable. The fact that he failed to capture Li Yuanshe was a common problem of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, not the responsibility of the commander.

His death not only deeply hurt the feelings of his successor, Lu Bing, but also caused those in the know to feel a sense of shared sorrow.

With Zhu Houcong's wisdom, he should have seen this. Even if he didn't reward him, letting him go lightly and allowing him to retire to his hometown would have been the right thing to do.

Therefore, Haiyue did not understand.

It was only then, upon seeing this brief sentence, that he suddenly understood.

You can't use normal human thinking.

We must adopt the mindset of ruler and subject.

Consort Du is pregnant and feels emboldened. We can either wait until she is ten months pregnant and gives birth before launching an attack, which would add endless variables, or we can act decisively and shatter the emperor's dream with one blow.

Wang Zuo chose the latter, and thus bore the crime of murdering the dragon's heir, which was the fundamental reason why he eventually died in the Tang Prince's prison.

Even if Jiajing had no attachment to the child in her womb, this action was still an act of insubordination.

A cold-hearted monarch may commend the loyalty of his subjects, but will never tolerate the slightest act of overstepping his bounds.

Even if the initial intention was good, it is still unforgivable.

If Wang Zuo is spared, others will surely follow suit in the future—the former commander failed to protect the emperor, causing the concubine to miscarry, yet he was able to escape unscathed. If this precedent is set, how can the emperor's authority and dignity be maintained?
What Jiajing disliked was precisely this disregard for the imperial system.

Not even the slightest bit is allowed.

Therefore, Wang Zuo had no choice but to die. "During the southern tour, Zhou Lao stayed in the capital and did not accompany him."

"However, he was able to know every detail of the Southern Tour as if he had seen it all before, which must have been because someone was secretly sending him messages."

"This person is most likely a eunuch, and of a high rank..."

Only the eunuchs who served the emperor during his southern tours could have such a complete understanding of the events and such a profound grasp of Jiajing's thoughts and intentions.

There aren't many people like that.

Huang Jin is one.

But there can't be only one person; there must be others.

Haiyue thought for a moment, then got up and left the study, heading towards the inner courtyard.

Zhu Yuying was leaning against a pillar in the corridor, her eyes fixed on the toddler figure.

Just one year old, Hai Zhongyue clenched his fists and waddled around like a little duck that had just learned to swim.

His little feet left crooked footprints on the ground, and his lotus-root-like arms were outstretched, as if trying to embrace the evening breeze of the entire courtyard.

"Ouch! Slow down!"

When Haiyue appeared, the little guy swayed and looked like he was about to fall, but he steadied himself, quickened his pace, and rushed into his father's arms.

Haiyue smiled and hugged his son as he approached his wife, whispering, "Are you familiar with the eunuchs around His Majesty?"

"what?"

Zhu Yuying was somewhat surprised, but as someone who frequently visited the palace to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Jiang, she was more observant of others due to her quiet nature. Without hesitation, she nodded and said, "Not counting the last two years, I also know about the previous years."

Haiyue asked, "Has anyone ever gone south to collect pearls?"

Zhu Yuying immediately said, "Mother doesn't like wearing Hepu pearls, finding them too extravagant. However, Empress Zhang is extremely fond of them. Whenever Empress Zhang comes to Ciren Palace to pay her respects, she has to take off the pearls. Once, she forgot, and her face changed. But Mother didn't mind. She even specifically mentioned Eunuch He from the Inner Palace, praising his contribution to stabilizing the people's livelihood during pearl harvesting..."

"Eunuch He!"

Haiyue remained silent on the so-called stability and people's livelihood, but she had a clear goal. She immediately summoned Gonghao and assigned the task to Yinglue Society.

The Yinglue Society is no longer what it used to be. It combines the imperial court and the martial arts world, and is effectively managed by Haihao and Zhu Lin. Its elite personnel are spread all over the world.

The capital city certainly cannot be left empty.

In light of historical events, Haiyue had made preparations in advance, ordering them to observe the movements of the palace servants closely, while showing little interest in those nobles.

This greatly reduces the risk.

After all, everyone else was eyeing the princes and concubines, so who was paying attention to the eunuchs and palace maids?
This very channel proved invaluable in a critical moment.

The rewards came in just one day.

The answer is surprising.

"Is Eunuch He dead?"

Haiyue immediately asked, "When did he die? How did he die?"

"Just two months ago."

Gong Hao said, "How they died is unknown, but in the past six months, quite a few servants have been beaten to death in the palace..."

"Ok?"

Haiyue's expression darkened slightly.

Historically, Emperor Jiajing frequently punished his servants. Palace servants would be severely punished for even the slightest mistake, and more than two hundred palace servants were beaten to death.

Analysis suggests that the cause was excessive consumption of elixirs, leading to the accumulation of erysipelas in the body and resulting in the individual's unpredictable and violent temperament.

This Zhu Houcong in this world did not take any elixirs. Although he was suspicious and distrustful of his subjects and showed no mercy in punishing them with beatings and imprisonment, he was at least not murderous. So why did he become so cruel to the servants in the palace?
After a moment's thought, Haiyue decided to investigate: "Send someone else to find out who these palace servants who were punished to death served."

"Yes!"

The British intelligence agency investigated further, this time with much more detailed information: "Consort Yan's Zhaoyang Palace, Consort Wang's Jingfu Palace, Consort Li's Jiangxue Pavilion, Consort Jing's Suyong Hall..."

"So, those killed were all concubines and servants from the palace who had princes?"

"This is a case of making an example of someone!"

Haiyue understood.

I couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for those princes.

Reincarnation is a science.

These people have undoubtedly been placed in the most valuable and unimaginable families in the world.

It is also the cruelest family.

in history.

The two dragons never met, their kinship was weak, and Longqing even regarded Gao Gong as his own father.

now.

Two dragons, see you every day...

Having a father like that, coupled with the strict study system and constant supervision of his studies, is another kind of torture!
"His Majesty is rather harsh on his servants..."

After Gong Hao withdrew, Zhu Yuying came to his side and whispered, "When I was alive, I often said that a peaceful home is the mark of a benevolent ruler. I advised Your Majesty to show kindness to your family and to demonstrate leniency to your subjects!"

"These are invaluable words, but unfortunately, people often fail to teach them..."

Haiyue said, "There are tens of thousands of people in the inner court. Perhaps in the eyes of those high-ranking nobles, the eunuchs and palace maids are just objects that can talk and work. But they are still human beings, flesh and blood. If they are oppressed too much, they will surely rebel!"

Zhu Yuying sensed something was off about his tone, and her expression subconsciously changed. Of course, what she was truly concerned about wasn't the so-called emperor in the deep palace, but her trusted confidant beside her: "My lord, you must be worried!"

“Lectures at the Wenhua Hall are a daytime event. Recently, His Majesty has become weary and even loses interest in listening to lectures, often merely going through the motions.”

Haiyue gripped his wife's delicate hand tightly, his tone enigmatic: "That's exactly right. There are some things I'm powerless to change. Just make sure that blood doesn't stain our clothes!"

(End of this chapter)