The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 606 Donglin Rebellion
In the golden autumn of October, Emperor Wanli returned to the capital.

By this time, Yongle Mountain had been cleaned up as if combing hair, and the people of the Donghai Jurchen tribe had been wiped out.

Houses are now scattered all over the Sanjiang Plain, and millions of newly recruited garrison soldiers can be housed there.

He simply ordered the newly appointed military scholars to lead over a million garrison soldiers to stay there for the winter, so that they could guard the houses and vegetable gardens while also getting some exercise.

He also instructed the border troops to take as many of the ripe potatoes and sweet potatoes as they could back to their respective garrisons as seeds for trial planting.

The soldiers of the Shenshu Camp and Shenji Camp boarded the fast naval ships and followed them back, while the Shenwu Camp was also riding back.

With the threat from the Jurchens completely eliminated, he began to consider how to eliminate the internal threats within the Ming Dynasty.

On the ninth day of the tenth month, around 7 a.m., Wanli Emperor brought Zhu Changxun and Song Yingxing to the long-missed Imperial Study.

Xiao Zhu Changxun continued to study the Four Books and Five Classics with Song Yingxing as usual.

Emperor Wanli sat there quietly, lost in thought.

There are still three major hidden dangers within the Ming Dynasty: the three powerful clans of Donglin and Puzhou, and the princes and imperial families. These three hidden dangers are all very troublesome.

Most of the Donglin members rarely violated the law, so dealing with one or two wouldn't be a big problem. But it would be difficult to deal with them all at once, unless they disregarded the rules and acted arbitrarily.

The three powerful clans of Puzhou were all very well hidden, and no trace of them could be found.

The princes and royal family members are imperial relatives, and it's definitely not feasible to just ignore them and wipe them all out. He still has to wait until things are almost ready on Fangzhang Island before he can figure out a way to exile these guys there.

In other words, since the problem of the princes and their families cannot be solved for the time being, the only option is to address the issues of the Donglin and Puzhou clans first.

Just as he was pondering this, Grand Secretary Shen Li entered carrying a stack of memorials.

After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, he asked, "Zhonghua, have there been any problems in the court during this time?"

What problems could possibly arise?

Shen Li bowed and presented the memorial, then nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, the Zhejiang faction and corrupt officials have been dealt with almost completely. All officials in the court are working diligently and conscientiously, and there are no problems at all."

You just can't see the problems with Donglin or even Qingliu.

Or rather, deep down you don't want me to punish the Donglin faction or even the Qingliu faction.

Never mind, I won't talk to you about this.

You can't see history, and you don't know how harmful the Donglin Party and even the Qingliu Party were, but that's not your fault.

Emperor Wanli pretended to flip through the memorials, then waved his hand and said, "Zhonghua, you can go about your business."

Upon hearing this, Shen Li hurriedly bowed and took his leave.

Wanli watched his figure disappear through the door before announcing loudly, "Summon Luo Sigong."

Soon, Luo Sigong walked in quickly.

After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, Wanli asked, "Sigong, have Li Sancai and Han Kuang still not found any clues?"

If he had discovered any clues, he would have reported it long ago.

This guy hasn't reported it, so he definitely hasn't found anything.

As expected, Luo Sigong said with some shame, "This humble subject is incompetent and has not found anything."

This isn't a problem with your ability.

The three powerful clans of Puzhou were capable of overthrowing a dynasty, and their ability to hide themselves was extraordinary.

Historically, the eight imperial merchants seemed to spring from the ground up, inexplicably becoming incredibly wealthy.

The three powerful clans of Puzhou seemed to vanish suddenly during the change of dynasties; not one of them disappeared!
This demonstrates just how adept these guys are at concealing their tracks.

It's normal that Luo Sigong can't find him.

If the remnants of the three powerful clans in Puzhou cannot be found, then deal with the Donglin clan.

Wanli thought about it carefully, and then suddenly asked inexplicably, "Sigong, have you heard the rumors that the Donglin Party is plotting a rebellion?"

what?
The Donglin Party is plotting a rebellion!

How can this be?

I didn't receive a single word about it.

Why did His Majesty suddenly say that?

These guys just want to seize control of the court.

rebel?

is it possible?
Your Majesty, does this mean I should spread rumors?

Luo Sigong was stunned for a moment, then finally understood.

He nodded quickly and said, "Yes, I have heard about this before, but I have not been able to find any concrete evidence."

You are truly intelligent.

Wanli nodded slowly and said, "Yes, then let's investigate this thoroughly."

Uh, who are you investigating, and what are you investigating?
Or rather, how do you expect me to spread rumors?

You can't just mess around with this kind of thing.

Upon hearing this, Luo Sigong stood there lost in thought.

Does this mean you don't know where to start?

Seeing this, Wanli pondered, "Li Sancai and Han Kuang are both from the Donglin Party. How could Gu Xiancheng and Gao Panlong not know the identities of these two guys?"

Gu Xiancheng was dismissed and investigated in Chengdu, yet he still wouldn't behave himself. After returning to his hometown, he continued to spread rumors and cause trouble. What was his intention?

Oh, I see. This isn't just a complete fabrication.

However, doing so would alert the enemy.

Luo Sigong thought for a moment, then cautiously said, "Your Majesty, if the three powerful clans of Puzhou knew that Li Sancai and Han Kuang's affair had been exposed, they would definitely hide even more deeply."

These guys know exactly what's going on.

They already knew we were targeting Li Sancai and Han Kuang.

Wanli said calmly, "They are actually pretending to be confused, and the Donglin Party is also pretending to be confused, so let's pretend to be confused too."

Oh, so you mean we won't reveal Li Sancai and Han Kuang's identities yet.

Upon hearing this, Luo Sigong nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Great, now that you understand, go and get started.

Wanli nodded slightly and then waved his hand.

Luo Sigong quickly bowed and took his leave.

One pretending to be confused on the left, the other pretending to be confused on the right, all of this has completely baffled Xiao Zhu Changxun.

He couldn't help but ask, "Father, is the Donglin faction really plotting a rebellion? What are they pretending to be ignorant about?"

Some things are better left unsaid.

Upon hearing this, Wanli looked at Song Yingxing.

Seeing this, Song Yingxing quickly stood up, cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I suddenly remembered that there is a part on the steam loom that needs to be modified. Why don't I go and see how to modify it now?"

This little guy is really good; not only is he obsessed with Taoism, but he's also quite capable in handling affairs.

Xu Guangqi, Wang Xiangjin, Wang Zheng, and others are not as good as this little guy in this respect.

He had originally planned to groom this little guy as Zhu Changxun's right-hand man, so he could let the little guy hear about these things.

Emperor Wanli raised his hand and said, "No rush, it's the same to revise it this afternoon."

Why were you looking at me just now?
Upon hearing this, Song Yingxing quickly and carefully sat down.

Wanli then asked, "Xun'er, have you heard about the Donglin Party's secret plot to rebel?"

That's the strangest part.

Who said the Donglin Party rebelled?

I've never heard of that!
Xiao Zhu Changxun shook his head repeatedly and said, "Father, I have never heard of such a thing."

Upon hearing this, Song Yingxing's face showed a hint of realization.

This is a difference in age, or you could say a difference in experience.

Song Yingxing had spent more than ten years among the common people and had seen a great deal about human relationships and customs.

Xiao Zhu Changxun, however, had always lived in the palace. In the palace, there was no human touch; if there was, it was only backstabbing and intrigue. Children couldn't understand the underhanded intrigues.

Therefore, this little guy still needs to be properly nurtured, especially in terms of interpersonal skills.

Emperor Wanli nodded slightly and said patiently, "If you haven't heard of it, then of course it's not true."

what?
No such thing!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhu Changxun was greatly puzzled and asked, "Father, if there's no such thing, why did you ask Luo Sigong to investigate?"

Don't you understand?

Song Yingxing had already figured it out.

Emperor Wanli patiently guided him, saying, "We want to deal with the Donglin Party, but they neither embezzle nor commit crimes. What should we do?"

This means that the best strategy of killing someone and destroying their spirit is not feasible.

After thinking carefully, Xiao Zhu Changxun suddenly realized and said, "Oh, I understand now. Zhong Ce framed you; you sent Luo Sigong to spread rumors!"

Why explain this so clearly?

Wanli glanced at Song Yingxing awkwardly, then patiently instructed, "Xun'er, some things are better left unsaid. You should also be careful in the future and not say everything out loud."

Uh, I guess I shouldn't have said that.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhu Changxun nodded repeatedly and said, "Your subject understands."

Emperor Wanli nodded slightly, then patiently explained, "This matter is not entirely a rumor."

The reason why the Emperor instructed Luo Sigong not to reveal the identities of Li Sancai and Han Kuang was to see if the other members of the Donglin faction knew what was good for them.

If they don't know what's good for them, then we won't be polite.

This "no politeness" means that the Donglin Party members, who are out of touch with reality, are being treated as traitors!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhu Changxun slowly nodded to show that he understood.

This time he didn't say it aloud.

Upon hearing this, Song Yingxing couldn't help but show a hint of horror.

Even though Donglin was neither corrupt nor lawless, they were treated as traitors!

Emperors are ruthless; serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

He'd better be more careful in the future.

(End of this chapter)