Dugong

Chapter 94 Another storm arises
Li Ping'an looked at the young heroes with a smile, and spoke humbly with his adopted sons and eunuchs, quickly erasing their arrogance.

On the surface, it only appeared that they had a martial arts contest and he was beaten.

That's not the case. As soon as the young heroes left Hengchang Trading Company, they came into the sight of the Imperial Horse Administration.

The case of Sha Jingfeng of the Yellow River Gang was not accidental, but inevitable!

Even if Sha Jingfeng hadn't beaten the constable, another young hero would have committed a crime, and both would have ended up being arrested and tried in the yamen. It's just that the Yellow River Gang was more unlucky.

If the Imperial Horse Administration had not informed the lowly constables that being beaten would not have alarmed the Six Doors.

Li Ping'an slowly drank his wine, carefully pondering Eunuch Chu's teachings: "Inviting guests leads to beheading, and accepting people as dogs..."

These are the three key strategies for winning people's hearts and managing subordinates. Sometimes one is enough, sometimes all of them need to be used, and they need to be applied repeatedly.

Only after repeated intimidation, appeasement, and taming did they finally gain useful and obedient subordinates.

It's hard to say about the other young heroes in Dingxiang Tower, but Xiao Yuanqiu is already willing and even looking forward to doing errands for the Admiral.

The river bandits must be wiped out; we have no choice but to do so!

……

Supervisor of Ceremonies.

The scene, which should have been bustling with activity, was now eerily silent.

Eunuch Leng dismissed his eunuchs and godson, and sat alone by the window, staring blankly in the direction of the imperial study.

A gust of cold spring wind blew into the window frame, and the copper bells on the eaves jingled, startling the old man from his reverie.

"Our family has endured more than 30 years to become the patriarchs, how can we bear to give it up?"

Eunuch Leng gently stroked the ivory plaque of the Directorate of Ceremonial, which was gilded with the four characters "Imperial Envoy and Commander-in-Chief," making it distinct from other commanders' ivory plaques.

Emperor Taizu used this to show that among the twelve supervisory offices, this one was the highest.

Eunuch Leng and Eunuch Chu were about the same age. Leng had been a eunuch in the late emperor's former residence and had served as the director of the Imperial Horse Administration, the Imperial Wardrobe Administration, and the Palace Guard Administration. He had spent half his life sitting on the sidelines.

He finally managed to overthrow Chu with the help of Consort Yuan, but the emperor died a few years after he gained power.

It is a long-standing tradition of the dynasty to replace the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial with a new emperor.

Unwilling to give up, Eunuch Leng keenly sensed the subtle relationship between His Majesty and the Cining Palace. He decisively severed ties with Consort Zhang and devoted himself to serving His Majesty in order to gain his trust.

"What a pity! No matter how well we do our job, His Majesty still wants to replace us!"

Eunuch Leng understood Emperor Yongning's feelings; the position of Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was too important, and he preferred to use a loyal person rather than a capable one.

The same was true of the Zhenfu Division. Half a year after His Majesty ascended the throne, the former commander Chang Hong used the excuse of an internal injury to request to retire and recuperate.

His Majesty requested and declined three times, but reluctantly agreed, bestowing upon him the title of Grand Tutor and placing him among the Three Dukes.

"Chang Hong has been in charge of the Zhenfu Division for more than 20 years, and all his clansmen hold high positions, including the position of Grand Tutor. What can our family gain if we retire?"

It's obvious without even guessing that Eunuch Leng likely spent the rest of his life in some temple.

Few people in the world can bear such a disparity.

Therefore, Emperor Yongning repeatedly hinted that he should ask Eunuch Leng to resign voluntarily and hand over a list to facilitate the purge of the inner court.

Eunuch Leng was reluctant to give up his position in the Directorate of Ceremonial, so he pretended to be deaf and dumb and didn't understand.

"I am merely His Majesty's servant. To continue fighting would only lead to my utter destruction. However, I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of losing my power..."

At this time.

The Director of the Imperial Household Department, Eunuch Deng, requested an audience. After announcing his arrival, he entered the room, kowtowed, and spoke.

"Godfather, the Ministry of Works is demanding the accounts of the Directorate of Palace Attendants."

The Directorate of Palace Attendants was responsible for constructing palace projects, including imperial mausoleums, temporary palaces, and gardens. Although they did not have many audiences with His Majesty, the lucrative opportunities were enormous.

After Deng Gonggong was promoted to the position of Director of the Directorate of Palace Attendants, he took over the construction of the Imperial Hunting Garden, which is still not completed. Each room has been embezzled from the imperial treasury.

Eunuch Leng frowned slightly: "The funds for the Directorate of Palace Attendants come from the Imperial Treasury. What right does the Ministry of Works have to audit its accounts?"

Eunuch Deng said, "It is said that His Majesty intends for the Ministry of Revenue to submit a report on the cost of the Imperial Hunting Grounds. If the cost is lower than that of the Imperial Treasury, then the Ministry of Works will be responsible for its construction."

Eunuch Leng immediately understood that the Ministry of Works' audit was a pretense; the real purpose was for His Majesty to reprimand them.

How are the accounts doing?

"Without a single mistake." Eunuch Deng said confidently, "The Imperial Hunting Garden has been under construction for more than ten years, during which time it has changed more than a dozen partner companies. The accounts were burned twice during the reign of the late emperor."

Even if the Ministry of Works had extraordinary abilities, it couldn't find any evidence of embezzlement!

Eunuch Leng shook his head slightly. The Ministry of Works wasn't there to investigate corruption, but rather to offer a cheaper construction quote and snatch the Imperial Hunting Garden away.

"Let's put together 100,000 taels of silver and get the garden built as soon as possible. We shouldn't delay it, and we shouldn't take money from the imperial treasury."

Eunuch Deng hesitated and said, "Godfather, once the garden is built, the Imperial Household Department will become a powerless and ineffective government office."

The old eunuch glanced at his godson, his voice sinister and icy.

"Either build the garden, or bury you in it!"

……

Cining Palace.

The atmosphere was very peaceful and joyful.

A few days ago, Emperor Yongning came to Cining Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhou, and called out to her in front of all the palace maids and eunuchs.

"Your Majesty".

When the news reached Cining Palace, it was rumored that Consort Zhang had smashed several jade bowls.

In the first half of the first year, Emperor Yongning went to Cining Palace to pay his respects every day. In the second half of the year, he used the excuse of being busy with government affairs to go there once every ten days or half a month.

Three months have passed this year, and I've been completely deserted since I visited on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Time has changed.

Consort Zhang is no longer the original Consort, and Emperor Yongning is no longer the Ninth Prince. The former is declining, while the latter is rising.

At noon.

Li Ping'an, supporting Empress Dowager Zhou's arm, strolled and chatted leisurely.

"Why has Xiao Anzi had time to spend with me these days?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Li Ping'an bowed slightly and said with a smile, "This servant has sorted out the duties of the Imperial Horse Administration and the Capital Garrison, and will have plenty of time to accompany Your Majesty in the future."

Their relationship was no longer ordinary; when they apologized, they no longer needed to kowtow, but instead used the tone of a grandson coaxing his grandmother, which made them seem even closer.

Empress Dowager Zhou patted Xiao Anzi's hand, her kind tone tinged with pity.

"I entered the palace with the late Emperor and have experienced decades of trials and tribulations, never seeing a moment of peace. His Majesty would not visit me without a reason; I fear that in just a few days, Xiao Anzi will be back to his arduous duties!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. This servant is not tired at all..."

Li Ping'an's eyes were slightly red. He quickly said a few witty words to coax his grandmother, which made Empress Dowager Zhou happy and touched.

At this time.

Eunuch Rong rushed over to report: "Your Majesty, Xiao Yuanzi from the Directorate of Ceremonial requests an audience with Chief Eunuch An, saying he has important matters to discuss."

Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand: "Go, I'm tired, I need to rest."

Li Ping'an bowed and took his leave, then went to the outside of Cining Palace.

Unlike before, when he was surrounded by attendants, Eunuch Yuan waited alone at the door, sneaking over to speak in a low voice.

"Eunuch An, we've made progress on the matter you asked us to investigate."

After a moment's thought, Li Ping'an suddenly realized what was going on and quickly asked, "Have you found out who instructed the old eunuch?"

Back then, the two assassinated Empress Dowager Zhou in the Cold Palace. One was an old nanny under Consort Yuan, and the other was an old eunuch whose origins were unknown.

Afterwards, Li Ping'an described the old eunuch's appearance, and the Inner Palace Department investigated and found that he was called Eunuch Yu and was a minor official in the Imperial Wardrobe. They did not find out that he had any powerful backers.

"Eunuch Yu and Eunuch Leng are distant relatives..."

"We understand!"

Li Ping'an had long wanted to deal with Eunuch Leng to avenge himself and his godfather, but he had never been able to find a suitable opportunity.

Now that His Majesty wants us to take the lead, it is only right that we share the burden for His Majesty!
(End of this chapter)