Dugong

Chapter 64: Observing the Political and Military Affairs Department
The wrath of the emperor can cause the deaths of millions.

A casual remark from Emperor Wude could trigger a massive purge of the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) in the capital.

Since His Majesty has not specified the size of the gangs, then all gangs, large and small, will be wiped out, including martial arts schools, security escort agencies, and guilds.

Those who know what's good for them pay silver to redeem themselves and get out of the capital; those who don't are imprisoned and subjected to severe torture.

The crimes of gangs in the underworld can be listed in great numbers without even being investigated. Even if they have no murder cases, they are bound to have engaged in things like bullying, extortion and blackmail.

Zhao Zhe felt the stench of blood assaulting his nostrils and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Father, could you at least spare the families of those gang members, instead of killing fewer people?"

"cannot!"

Emperor Wude glanced at it and said coldly, "A mere commoner from the Jianghu dares to plot against the royal family. This is a heinous crime of treason, and his entire clan must be executed as a warning to others."

Zhao Zhe was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he dared not utter a word.

Emperor Wude waved his hand: "I will review the remaining memorials myself. I will trouble Mr. Wei to take Zhe'er back to the palace."

"According to the order."

"My son, please retire."

Eunuch Wei bowed and accepted the order. He grabbed Zhao Zhe by the back of his neck, and his powerful true energy enveloped the two of them. They then turned into phantoms and disappeared into the night.

Before long, they returned to Zhao Zhe's residence in the palace.

A nameless, remote palace, its eaves mottled and somewhat dilapidated, had a night watchman lying sprawled on the ground fast asleep, completely disregarding palace rules and regulations.

Eunuch Wei frowned and said, "Your Highness, please forgive my bluntness, but no matter how kind we are to people, we must teach these servants some manners."

"Thank you for your advice, sir. I will instruct Xiao Haizi to be disciplined strictly."

Zhao Zhe bowed deeply to Eunuch Wei: "There is one more thing I would like to ask Mr. Wei to grant."

Eunuch Wei seemed to have anticipated this: "Does the King of Chen want me to show mercy?"

Zhao Zhe nodded and said, "I have heard of the Beggars' Sect. Most of its disciples are poor people who have nowhere else to turn and have not even practiced martial arts. I beg Mr. Wei to spare those innocent people."

Eunuch Wei replied, "I also came from a poor background before entering the palace, and almost starved to death on the streets. Since Your Highness has spoken, I will certainly carefully verify your identity."

"Thank you sir."

Zhao Zhe immediately smiled broadly: "To be honest, sir, I have never thought about becoming an emperor. But if becoming an emperor can save many people, then it wouldn't hurt to do it."

As they spoke, the two entered through the window and arrived at the bedroom in the side hall.

Xiao Haizi, who was lying on the bed pretending to be asleep, opened his eyes instantly upon hearing the noise, jumped out of the quilt, and hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed.

"This servant greets Your Highness and Eunuch Wei."

Zhao Zhe said with concern, "It's been hard on Xiao Haizi keeping watch all night. You can go and rest now."

Xiao Haizi hesitated for a moment, then reported, "Your Highness, Eunuch Yun came twice tonight. I pretended to be asleep and snoring to fool him. I don't know if he noticed anything amiss."

Zhao Zhe frowned slightly. Xiao Yunzi was a steward eunuch transferred from Zhaoyang Palace, and his actions were quite unpredictable.

Eunuch Wei said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will take good care of him."

Zhao Zhe said, "After all, she was sent by Consort Yuan. Mr. Wei should just expel Xiao Yunzi from the palace."

"I know what I'm doing."

Eunuch Wei gave Xiao Haizi a deep look but did not expose his lie. His Highness was too kind; it would be perfect to have a ruthless eunuch by his side.

After bowing to Zhao Zhe in farewell, Eunuch Wei returned to Wendiao Palace.

“Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince is gentle and compassionate. He is indeed a benevolent ruler who seeks to maintain the status quo and allow the people to recuperate. However, he is perhaps too merciful.”

A benevolent ruler is a good thing, but excessive benevolence cannot control the inner and outer courts and will inevitably breed trouble.

"Mr. Wei, rest assured, I have made arrangements."

Emperor Wude, without even looking up, quickly reviewed the memorials. No matter how much nonsense the officials rambled on, he could always grasp the key points at a glance. Soon, he came across another memorial presenting a white deer as an auspicious omen. According to Emperor Wude's usual temperament, he would naturally order the officials to organize a manpower to arrest it. But at this moment, however, he paused and wrote a sentence.

—The Zhenfu Division was ordered to investigate the facts.

……

The next day.

Zhaoyang Palace.

The earthen charcoal fire burned scorching hot, and several braziers were placed in the palace, making it feel as hot as summer even though it was late autumn.

The eunuchs and palace maids on duty were drenched in sweat, but dared not slack off in the slightest. Unlike the lax eunuchs in Zhao Zhe's palace, the rules in Zhaoyang Palace were strict, and there was no room for error in their duties.

For example, those on night duty had to stay up all night and were not even allowed to doze off. To avoid falling asleep in a daze, the eunuchs would put caltrops in their shoes.

When awake, the needle will pierce the soles of the feet, but once the person is dozing off, it will pierce the soles of the feet, using intense pain to drive away drowsiness.

With such strict and even harsh rules, if eunuchs and palace maids were given the choice, they would definitely choose to serve in Zhaoyang Palace, willing to endure scolding and beatings to seize the opportunity to climb the social ladder.

Inside the warm pavilion at this time.

Consort Yuan leaned against the soft couch and said with a smile, "Sister, did you know that there was a fire outside the palace last night?"

Consort Shu shook her head slightly and said after a moment's thought.

“Autumn weather is dry, and fires are common in the capital. For this fire to be mentioned by you, sister, it must be something unusual. Could it be that a nobleman's residence caught fire?”

"He can't be considered royalty or nobility; he's just a down-on-his-luck family."

Consort Yuan gritted her teeth and said, "That old hag poisoned my child to death. Last night, the imperial estate outside the city caught fire and burned her grandson to ashes. It's truly a fitting retribution!"

Consort Shu's face turned pale: "His Majesty has been promoting former subordinates of the deposed Crown Prince these past few days, clearly intending to install the Crown Prince's grandson on the throne. Sister, wouldn't doing this...?"

"What does this have to do with me?"

Consort Yuan sneered, "Sister, have you heard that on New Year's Eve last year, the Beggar Clan leader died mysteriously in the palace?"

Consort Shu said, "I've heard a little about it. Rumor has it that a certain old man was involved."

Yuanfei said, "After the death of the leader, the elders of the Beggars' Sect fought fiercely for the position. Later, they agreed that whoever could avenge the old leader would become the new leader."

Consort Shu frowned and said, "The Beggars' Sect would never dare to do such a thing; there must be someone instigating and inciting them."

Consort Yuan toyed with her teacup, savoring the moment: "The Beggars' Sect's internal strife has attracted the attention of a highly respected elder of the martial arts world, who mediated the conflict and offered this idea..."

Consort Shu continued, "The Beggars' Sect dares not storm the capital. Their so-called revenge is to kill a member of the imperial family to pay with their own life. The Crown Prince, who has been demoted to a commoner, is just the right person for that."

"My sister is truly intelligent."

Consort Yuan exclaimed, "With my sister's help, I will surely be able to defeat that old hag. In the future, won't we sisters be the ones to call the shots in the harem?"

Consort Shu said worriedly, "Sister, you are very thorough in your work. Even if His Majesty has any suspicions, he will not be able to find any evidence. However, the matter of the throne is not yet settled, so you must be careful."

Consort Yuan said, "Sister, in a few days, during the morning court session, officials will submit a memorial requesting that the princes enter the Six Ministries to observe the administration. At that time, let Zhe'er go to the Ministry of War."

Of the six ministries, the Ministry of Personnel was the most prestigious, but the emperor was to be the one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses.

Moreover, Emperor Wude ruled the world for forty-six years, during which the army of Dayong swept across the land, destroying more than ten surrounding countries. Subtly, the Ministry of War's strength and influence far surpassed that of the other five ministries.

If Zhao Zhe can gain the support of the Ministry of War during his time in office, his strength will far surpass that of the other princes.

Upon hearing this, Consort Shu was not pleased, but instead worried, saying, "Sister, Zhe'er is gentle by nature; I'm afraid he will have difficulty gaining the respect of the people in the Ministry of War..."

"rest assured."

Consort Yuan was confident. She had long ago sent people to secretly observe Zhao Zhe and confirmed that his timid nature was not an act, which is why she was willing to support him to the throne.

"My elder brother will do his utmost to help. Zhe'er doesn't need to do anything; the entire Ministry of War will obey and submit to him!"

(End of this chapter)