Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 23 A subject remonstrates to the death, requesting the execution of Wei Zhongxian!
As for the second task, it was to collect statistics on local bullies and thugs.

In Cao Huachun's view, although this matter was not as direct as simply paying officials their salaries, it actually had a deeper meaning behind it.

Over the past few days.

He had secretly visited the city and naturally heard rumors among the people that the emperor was bloodthirsty.

These rumors, after being embellished several times, will inevitably affect public sentiment and stability to some extent.

But Cao Huachun understood.

As long as His Majesty beheads those local bullies and thugs after a while, and then uses the Embroidered Uniform Guard to thoroughly rectify the local security situation in the capital.

In this way, any rumors will be dispelled, and public support can be greatly enhanced.

After all, for ordinary people, no matter how many evils the officials in the court commit, it will not directly affect them.

But local thugs and bullies can make them wish they were dead.

Thinking of this, Cao Huachun couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

After all, he had been exiled to Southern Zhili for several years and had some understanding of the situation at the grassroots level.

With border wars and various internal turmoil, the entire Ming Dynasty is now in a precarious state.

To put it bluntly, one wrong move could lead to complete failure.

He was not particularly greedy for money; he simply hoped that the Ming Dynasty would gradually improve under His Majesty's rule.

Therefore, seeing His Majesty's sphere of power gradually expanding in the capital city fills him with genuine joy.

at the same time.

In the British Duke's mansion.

Zhang Weixian outwardly indulged in drinking and merrymaking every day, but in reality, his heart was already itching unbearably, as if being scratched by cats and ants.

The killing of a hundred officials in a single day had made him fully understand His Majesty's great talent and ruthless methods.

Reforming the Beijing garrison now seems to be only a matter of time.

There is no greater achievement in the world than following a dragon.

Zhang Weixian certainly had a heart set on achieving great things and restoring the glory of his ancestors; otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken those heartfelt words in the court at the very beginning.

But His Majesty has not given him any further instructions yet.

This left him only able to worry helplessly.

At the same time, Zhang Weixian couldn't help but become more cautious.

Now that His Majesty has taken action against the Embroidered Uniform Guard, how should the civil officials retaliate?
He still remembered the mysterious death of the late emperor at the hands of the imperial physician.

No one in this world wants to spit out the meat they've already eaten.

While anxiously awaiting the Emperor's new edict, Zhang Weixian secretly tightened his control over the capital garrison forces he could manage.

In the palace.

Zhu Youjian sat in a side room, flipping through the list of officials.

this time.

His focus was mainly on some low-ranking, young officials in the capital.

The drought in Shaanxi is urgent, and only his personal involvement can truly alleviate it.

However, given the level of transportation development at that time, a round trip would inevitably take several months.

During these months, he must ensure stability in the capital and also ensure the transmission of basic government orders.

Based on the words of those few people in the inner court alone, trouble might break out not long after I left.

Therefore, he must quickly select and win over a group of lower-level officials to counterbalance the vested interest groups in the court.

Pity.

Based on his experience, the situation in Shaanxi couldn't be delayed for too long.

Otherwise, he would have dealt with everything in the capital before dealing with this matter.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes in the empty side room. These people had slightly delayed the empire's progress, so they all had to become nourishment for the empire's advancement.

At this time.

Wang Chengen's voice came softly from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei requests an audience."

Zhu Youjian regained his composure: "Bring him in."

After entering the side room, Wei Zhongxian bowed and handed over a list: "Your Majesty, this is the list of 177 people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard whose homes were confiscated."

"A total of 1.75 million taels of silver, 23,610 taels of gold, and countless houses, fertile land, antiques and paintings."

"The majority of it came from Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and his deputy, the deputy commander. I have already sent people to deliver all of this stolen silver to the inner treasury."

Zhu Youjian nodded, his emotions not fluctuating much because of the money.

He had merely retrieved what rightfully belonged to the empire from a gang of bandits; there was nothing to be thankful for.

immediately.

He called Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun in.

Facing the three men, Zhu Youjian spoke directly and instructed them: "I will be leaving the palace in a while, and it may take several months before I return. At that time, the three of you must help each other and help me stabilize the situation in the capital."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the three men suddenly changed.

If there are anyone who doesn't want the emperor to leave the palace, the first group is the civil officials in the court, and the second is the eunuchs.

The civil service group didn't want the emperor to leave the palace because they feared that once he learned about the real world outside, he would become harder to fool.

How can they then continue to rake in money with impunity?

The reason these eunuchs didn't want the emperor to leave the palace was purely out of genuine concern for his safety.

No one can predict what will happen outside the palace. If something happens to the emperor, their power will inevitably vanish, and they will face fierce retaliation.

Wei Zhongxian was the one most afraid of this happening. He had personally experienced what it felt like to survive a calamity, so in his anxiety, he was the first to step forward and speak:
"Your Majesty, you mustn't! You've just dealt with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If you rashly leave the palace, some officials in the court might, in a desperate situation, commit treason!"

"Moreover, the regions outside the capital are currently in turmoil. What if something goes wrong along the way? What will become of the Ming Dynasty?"

Wang Chengen and Cao Huachun also hurriedly joined in the persuasion, fearing that His Majesty would really leave the palace.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, interrupting the three of them: "I have already decided on this matter. I am telling you now so that you can prepare in advance and avoid any mishaps."

"Furthermore, the three of you should each go to the palace and find two hundred loyal and brave eunuchs. I want to expand my inner palace."

"His Majesty!!"

The three of them were moved to tears and wanted to say something more, but were interrupted by Zhu Youjian's sharp gaze.

He knew, of course, that leaving the palace meant danger, but in his eyes, those minor matters were nothing.

Let alone some trivial matters, even if there were real dangers ahead, he would still forge ahead for the empire.

See this.

The three of them dared not try to persuade him any further.

How could they possibly change His Majesty's decision? All they could do now was to do their best to help His Majesty make every preparation before his departure.

Wei, Cao, and Wang exchanged a deep look, the meaning of which was crystal clear: regardless of any past conflicts, they now had to unite as one.

So the three of them knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we will certainly handle all the matters Your Majesty has entrusted to us."

Zhu Youjian nodded, then instructed Wang Chengen: "Pass down the word that I will be holding court tomorrow. Summon those low-ranking officials who are not originally qualified to attend court. I will find some helpers for you in the court."

the next day.

The tedious formalities ended, and the morning meeting began.

Before the officials could speak, a censor from the Censorate suddenly jumped out from the crowd.

In front of everyone, he removed his official robes, revealing the white mourning clothes hidden beneath, and, with tears streaming down his face, faced the throne and shouted:
"Your humble servant, a Censor of the Censorate, has risked his life to remonstrate against the ten major crimes of Wei Zhongxian, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. I request that Wei Zhongxian be executed!!"

A cold smile crept across Zhu Youjian's face: Just in time.

(End of this chapter)