Dugong

Chapter 139 Unfit for Important Use
child time.

The lights in the Imperial Study were still on.

The young eunuchs on duty were used to His Majesty reviewing memorials until late at night every day, and to prevent themselves from getting sleepy, they stuffed iron caltrops into their shoes.

If I doze off, I'll be jolted awake.

It wasn't just the eunuchs who stayed up all night to serve him; civil and military officials did too. Emperor Yongning would often summon officials late at night to discuss state affairs.

Over the years, the number of officials in the court who were over fifty years old could be counted on one hand.

The officials privately discussed that the late emperor's method of first suppressing and then promoting was too crude and could not compare to His Majesty's subtle and pervasive approach.

There's absolutely no need to pave roads; His Majesty is a born wise and sage ruler!

Emperor Yongning was aware of his ministers' discussions, which seemed to be praise but were actually complaints, but he did not care and continued to do as he pleased.

"Minister Yuan has once again submitted a petition to retire..."

Emperor Yongning frowned slightly, sighed, and continued to write, "You are a pillar of the state, someone I rely on. The nation is not yet secure, how can I bear to retire?"

He turned and instructed, "Xiao Haizi, tomorrow go to the Tribute Office and pick out some deer antler and ginseng to reward Minister Yuan and help him improve his health."

"According to the order."

Eunuch Hai bowed and accepted the order, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the third time this year that you have bestowed rewards upon Grand Secretary Yuan."

"Not much, not much. From now on, once a month. Remember to remind me."

Emperor Yongning wanted Grand Secretary Yuan to stand in the court to tell those officials who had retired to their hometowns that he was not an old man who was being forced to retire.

The fact that Grand Secretary Yuan was still the chief minister in his seventies is proof of this.

This is the biggest difference between Emperor Yongning and his predecessor: the latter did not need to care about saving face, while the former needed to maintain his reputation as a benevolent ruler.

Which one is strong and which one is weak is clear at a glance.

Emperor Yongning continued reviewing the memorials, and after a few, he came across Commander Gong's memorial. Without even reading it, he knew that Gong was complaining about the Anti-Rebel Bureau overstepping its authority.

"Each performs its own duties, like the clouds and the sky above the water."

The imperial edict implied that each party should exercise their own power and investigate their own cases, which implied a degree of competition between them.

When Eunuch Hai caught a glimpse of the imperial edict, he felt a surge of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

That scoundrel An always manages to come up with new tricks. First, he was involved in military power within the Imperial Horse Administration, then he became the chief commander of the Salt Transport Reform, and now he's added the position of commander of the Anti-Rebel Bureau.

Even though my family is the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, we can't compare to our subordinates in terms of power or wealth.

Rumors have already spread in the palace, mocking that now that Eunuch Hai is crippled, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs is crippled as well.

Not long ago, upon hearing this, Eunuch Hai caught two gossiping eunuchs and threw them alive into a dry well to starve to death.

Emperor Yongning was aware of the power struggles among the eunuchs, but he turned a blind eye and was happy to see it happen, as this was the only way to effectively prevent eunuchs from seizing power and plotting rebellion.

The arrow Leng Ni shot back then still haunted Emperor Yongning.

He was reviewing memorials until the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) when he finally saw the last one, which was Eunuch An's memorial.

"Your Majesty's grace has granted me this position, and I have been diligent and cautious day and night, never daring to be negligent. I hereby submit the following report on the investigation..."

Eunuch An recounted in detail the cause, process, and outcome of the case, from the source of the clues—the arrogant words of the young master of the Fuwei Escort Agency—to the escorts' rebellion and killing of the officials.

Every single matter, big or small.

The evidence is irrefutable and can withstand a joint trial by the three judicial authorities.

Finally, I request Your Majesty's permission to expand the investigation and eliminate the root of the problem, since the Kyoto Fuwei Escort Agency is only a branch. Not to mention that the headquarters is in the northern frontier, it has branches in all the prefectures in the north.

Any drastic changes in the future will bring disaster.

Emperor Yongning frowned slightly, his face showing a gloomy expression.

Most of the bodyguards at Fuwei Escort Agency are veterans who have fought countless battles. With just a little training, they can become squad leaders or centurions and lead a sizable army.

Eunuch Hai noticed the displeasure on His Majesty's face, and a gleam of joy flashed in his eyes. It was worth placing Eunuch An's memorial at the very bottom today.

His Majesty is also human; after reviewing memorials for most of the night, he must be exhausted.

When you see something bad happening, it's easy to show your anger.

His Majesty's joy or anger in a single moment determines the life, death, honor, and disgrace of countless people. That's why the emperor is called a god or the Son of Heaven.

Eunuch Hai watched eagerly, and when he saw His Majesty simply write the word "Approved," his joy grew even stronger.

He had served Emperor Yongning for many years and knew His Majesty's habit of chatting casually with his ministers while reviewing memorials.

Even if it's just some idle flattery or greeting from an official, it won't be returned blank. On the contrary, the fewer the words, the worse the mood.

Eunuch Hai wanted to say something bad, but he was afraid of breaking the rules; the emperor did not allow eunuchs to speak unless asked.

Emperor Yongning read through Eunuch An's memorial again, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Little Hai, what do you think of this case?"

"Your Majesty, this traitor has plotted rebellion; his crime deserves death!"

First, Hai Gonggong followed His Majesty's decree, then changed the subject: "But this servant has heard that someone has framed someone and forced the people to rebel."

Emperor Yongning nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor rebuking.

Deep down, I was somewhat disappointed. Xiao Haizi hadn't experienced bloody struggles; his rise to a high position by following the dragon was ultimately due to insufficient means and a lack of foresight.

Is this a simple case of treason?

Yes, no.

No matter concerning the northern border is trivial; it relates to the stability of the nation. How can it be judged by the mere fact that officials have forced the people to rebel?

"It's not just Xiao Haizi, but also Gong Jing. Even with my father's arrangements, I didn't bring enough people with me when I suddenly ascended the throne!"

Emperor Yongning knew perfectly well that the truly capable, useful, and highly effective officials were those who had worked their way up from the bottom.

Xiao Haizi and Gong Jing were already quite capable men around Emperor Yongning, but compared to Eunuch An, they were indeed somewhat inferior.

Emperor Yongning ordered, "Send word to the Fire God Temple to have the True Man refine the Purple Ginseng Nourishing Pill for the Empress Dowager."

"According to the decree..."

Hai Gonggong accepted the imperial decree subconsciously, but then his expression froze. He couldn't understand why His Majesty would bestow such a precious nourishing product as Yangrong Pill upon Cining Palace.

Emperor Yongning ignored Xiao Haizi's doubts. He believed that many things needed to be understood by oneself in order to make progress. He stretched his numb back muscles and asked.

"What time is it now?"

Hai Gonggong suppressed his doubts and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, it is already 1:45 AM."

"Go to Qiluan... never mind, don't disturb my beloved concubine's rest. Let's go to Wentiao Palace tonight."

When Emperor Yongning saw Eunuch An's memorial, he suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for the late emperor and decided to go to Wentiao Palace to sleep for two hours, and perhaps complain a few times in his dreams.

You spent half your life wielding power and killing, but a single moment of mercy has led to your current unwieldy and uncontrollable situation.

"Prepare the carriage for the Wendiao Palace!"

Eunuch Hai shouted at the top of his lungs, stepped forward to help His Majesty to his feet, and draped a light brocade robe over His Majesty before he left.

Even in the sweltering heat of May and June, the dew inside the palace was still heavy.

Perhaps it was the deep resentment of the palace servants, or perhaps it was the accumulation of yin energy from the dead, but at midnight the air would become chillingly cold.

Emperor Yongning waved his hand, ordering the imperial carriage to leave, and walked slowly and deliberately.

Eunuch Hai hunched over beside His Majesty, while the other eunuchs followed behind with their heads bowed and breaths held, not daring to overstep the bounds.

The eunuchs in the Imperial Study changed the most frequently, firstly because of fierce competition among them, and secondly because Eunuch Hai did not allow any familiar eunuchs to be on duty.

His Majesty doesn't remember familiar faces, so naturally he won't promote them.

suddenly.

Emperor Yongning stopped and pointed to the pavilion in the distance, where the lights were still on: "Isn't that the Imperial Horse Stables' duty room?"

"Exactly."

Hai Gonggong said sarcastically, "It's so late and you still haven't put out the candles. You have no manners at all. I'll send someone to reprimand you right away."

"Don't disturb them."

Emperor Yongning said, "The Imperial Horse Stables has many affairs to attend to. Staying on duty all night is a way of being loyal to the country and cannot be considered breaking the rules."

Hai Gonggong's eyes darted around, and he seized the opportunity to offer slanderous words: "I'm afraid they're busy making money. I've heard that the Imperial Stables are supporting many salt merchants, such as Li Yifang and his ilk."

He was just a street vendor a year ago, and now he's incredibly wealthy!

Emperor Yongning was certainly aware of this matter; in fact, most of the money Li Yifang earned went into the imperial treasury.

Salt merchants only had the reputation of being extremely wealthy; they didn't actually have much silver to their name.

Eunuch Hai was aware of this matter, but he still kept nagging at His Majesty, which would inevitably cause His Majesty to become dissatisfied over time.

After all, dragons are inherently solitary.
(End of this chapter)