Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 18 Misinterpreting the Emperor's Will Leads to the Resurgence of Donglin
Xu Zhiji, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison for the recovery of stolen goods!

It seems that Wei Zhongxian has once again fooled the young emperor.

The case of Wu Yangchun in Huizhou even sparked a popular uprising, but they only arrested Xu Zhiji and then called it a day!

Zhu Jue also thought that the matter was over and done with.

Who would have thought that Feng Quan was employing a series of schemes?

Just as news of Xu Zhiji's imprisonment and the recovery of his ill-gotten gains had spread, Fang Zhenghua strode into the Imperial Study with a memorial in his hand, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, the Cabinet has sent another memorial."

What despicable things has Wei Zhongxian done this time?
Zhu Jue took the memorial and frowned upon reading it.

This is yet another long and detailed piece.

Ni Yuanlu, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, submitted a memorial to the throne, revealing a great injustice suffered by the Donglin Academy!

The Donglin Party's unjust cases all originated from Xiong Tingbi.

Xiong Tingbi was not a member of the Donglin Party, but rather the leader of the Chu Party!

In the 47th year of the Wanli reign, the Battle of Sarhu resulted in a major defeat, and Kaiyuan and Tieling fell. Xiong Tingbi was appointed to replace Yang Hao as the commander of Liaodong in this critical situation.

At that time, the situation in Liaodong was already precarious. The military commissioner Xiong Tingbi and the governor Yuan Yingtai worked together to resist the Jurchens and defended Shenyang for more than a year, achieving merit without fault.

When Yao Zongwen, the leader of the Zhejiang faction, was inspecting Liaodong, he demanded a bribe from Xiong Tingbi but failed to get one. Instead, he falsely accused Xiong Tingbi of embezzling grain and salary!
In the first year of the Tianqi reign, Xiong Tingbi was unjustly dismissed from his post, and the Liaodong defense line immediately collapsed. Important towns such as Shenyang and Liaoyang fell one after another. Xiong Tingbi was once again appointed to manage Liaodong in a time of crisis.

At that time, Wang Huazhen, the governor of Qi, secretly allied himself with Wei Zhongxian and became extremely arrogant and disobedient to Xiong Tingbi's orders, which led to the fall of Guangning.

Wang Huazhen was not punished for failing to defend Guangning, but Xiong Tingbi was imprisoned for the loss of Guangning!

This matter was originally an internal power struggle between the Qi, Chu, and Zhe factions and had nothing to do with the Donglin Party. However, the Donglin Party, considering that Xiong Tingbi had rendered meritorious service in guarding Liaodong, tried their best to rescue him. As a result, Wei Zhongxian falsely accused them of accepting bribes from Xiong Tingbi!
Wei Zhongxian used this as a pretext to launch a massive prison war, persecuting dozens of members of the Donglin Party!

Xiong Tingbi never offered bribes, nor did the Donglin Party accept any bribes from him. Moreover, according to the Ming Dynasty law, the maximum penalty for accepting bribes was confiscation of property and exile.

Wei Zhongxian fabricated a bribery case without any evidence, and tortured dozens of people to death, a great injustice throughout the ages!

The Donglin faction had done nothing wrong, yet they were framed and driven out of the court by a eunuch, which was truly absurd.

The current Grand Secretary Gu Bingqian has requested to retire and suggests that His Majesty redress the grievances against the Donglin Party and reinstate Han Kuang, a veteran of three reigns, as Grand Secretary.

After reading it, Zhu Jue couldn't help but reveal a cold smile.

Xiong Tingbi was indeed wronged.

It is truly absurd that Wei Zhongxian fabricated the Xiong Tingbi case to implicate the Donglin Party.

so what?

The Donglin Party and the Qi-Chu-Zhe Party should be dealt with!
Feng Quan's true colors have finally been revealed.

This guy is in cahoots with Han Kuang!

Ni Yuangong and Ni Yuanlu are clearly brothers; they must both be members of the Donglin Party.

Feng Quan wanted to take this opportunity to revive the Donglin Party.

Should we deal with Feng Quan, Ni Yuangong, and Ni Yuanlu now?

He thought for a moment, then announced loudly, "Summon Wei Zhongxian to come and pay his respects."

Being summoned twice by the young emperor in one day is a great honor; it seems that no one else in the court has had this privilege yet.

Unfortunately, every time he was summoned, it was because he was being impeached.

This is not a good thing.

When Wei Zhongxian rushed over, he saw that Wang Chengen had picked up another memorial to read, and his expression changed.

After Wang Chengen finished reading, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

He really did something absurd.

So what if Xiong Tingbi really did offer bribes?

Without any evidence, he tortured dozens of people to death. How can this be justified?

Unexpectedly, Zhu Jue asked, "Why didn't you deal with Grand Secretary Han Kuang as well?"

"Uh, Han Kuang ran away a long time ago!" Wei Zhongxian was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and then quickly said, "Your Majesty, Han Kuang took the opportunity to resign and return to his hometown in the fourth year of the Tianqi reign."

What excuse is this guy making? Why don't you explain it clearly?

Zhu Jue pressed further, "What opportunity did he use?"

How do you say this?

Wei Zhongxian hesitated for a moment, but still forced himself to say, "At that time, I ordered someone to tamper with the memorials and used them to drive several Donglin officials out of the court. Han Kuang impeached me, and I ordered someone to write an imperial edict to scold him. He then resigned and returned to his hometown."

Oh, so it was you who forged the imperial edict and drove him away.

Zhu Jue was still somewhat puzzled and said, "Then why don't you arrest him and deal with him? Weren't Miao Changqi, Li Yingsheng, Huang Zunsu, and others all arrested and dealt with by your men?"

Han Kuang is not easy to catch.

Wei Zhongxian said somewhat helplessly, "This servant also wanted to capture Han Kuang and deal with him, but Feng Quan said that Han Kuang's power in his hometown was too great, and sending people to capture him might cause a rebellion."

He said Han Kuang was both Yang Bo's grandson-in-law and Zhang Siwei's son-in-law, and the combined power of the Yang, Wang, and Zhang families in Shanxi was immense. They not only controlled all businesses in Shanxi but also the border troops in Xuanfu, Datong, and Pianguan towns. Han Kuang couldn't be arrested.

Oh, so you were too scared by Feng Quan to deal with Han Kuang.

What Feng Quan said was not an exaggeration; the three powerful clans of Puzhou were truly all-powerful in Shanxi!
The eight imperial merchants they cultivated were able to bring down the Ming Dynasty, which shows just how powerful they were.

Even if I send men to arrest Han Kuang now, they probably won't be able to bring him back!
If Han Kuang is pushed too far, he might use the Prince of Jin or the Prince of Dai to launch a rebellion!

It seems we'll have to use a plan to deal with Donglin.

Zhu Jue frowned and pondered for a while, then decisively said, "Ruoyu, draft an imperial edict to promote Han Kuang to Grand Secretary."

what?
Wei Zhongxian was so frightened that he cried out, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely necessary!"

You know shit.

Zhu Jue shook his head slightly and said, "Didn't you say that Han Kuang can't be arrested? Then let him come to the capital and walk into the trap."

Oh, that’s what it meant.

Wei Zhongxian quickly clapped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise; this plan is truly brilliant!"

You still don't understand.

Zhu Jue shook his head slightly and said, "Don't rush. With Han Kuang back as Grand Secretary, the Donglin faction will surely rise again. Those Donglin members who were hiding at home will definitely return to the court to take up their posts. You have to wait until they all come before you make a move, understand?"

Yes, that way we can wipe out Donglin in one fell swoop.

Wei Zhongxian, his face full of admiration, gave a thumbs up and shamelessly exclaimed, "Your Majesty, I don't know what to say anymore. I can only use a commoner's term. Brilliant, truly brilliant!"

You bootlicker.

Zhu Jue shook his head slightly, then carefully explained, "Don't underestimate Donglin. Those Donglin members who managed to escape your last purge are no pushovers."

And Feng Quan, don't underestimate him either. He's very capable. You think he's helping you cleanse the Donglin faction, but actually he's using you to get revenge.

Furthermore, what I've told you today, you absolutely must not tell anyone. If anyone asks why I appointed Han Kuang, just say I was young and naive, and was deceived by the Donglin faction.”

what?
You made me talk badly about you behind your back!

Oh, that's how you trick those Donglin members into walking into your trap.

You mean you want Donglin to misinterpret the Emperor's intentions!

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian paused for a moment before nodding repeatedly and saying, "This servant understands."

Zhu Jue looked at the imperial edict written by Liu Ruoyu, thought for a moment, and then solemnly said, "You don't need to send this imperial edict to the cabinet. I believe Feng Quan will not refuse to write the draft. If you take it and send it over, you will probably be exposed."

That's not the case.

Wei Zhongxian nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

You bootlicker!
Zhu Jue waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly.

Wei Zhongxian quickly bowed and took his leave.

(End of this chapter)