Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 5: To Live, to Live with Dignity and Right

Night once again, like solidified ink, swallowed up all the palaces of the Forbidden City.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, candlelight shone brightly.

The 300,000 taels of silver were not immediately sent to the national treasury or the inner transport treasury as Wei Zhongxian had expected.

They were packed into one hundred and fifty heavy wooden boxes, which were roughly piled up in the corner of the hall, the simple seals on the silver boxes gleaming pale in the candlelight.

Zhu Youjian did not look at the silver.

He sat behind his desk, and in front of him were not books of sages and saints, but several old, yellowed files about the palace guards.

Wei Zhongxian has already stepped down.

The young master, who had just wielded the butcher's knife to offer his first pledge of allegiance to his new master, left with a desolate back view, like an old dog that had been scolded by its master, its tail between its legs, yet daring not to utter a single complaint.

Zhu Youjian knew that Wei Zhongxian was safe and "loyal" for the time being, because the emperor was his greatest support.

But, this is not enough!

What is the point of a knife, no matter how sharp it is, if the person wielding it could be sliced ​​across the neck by another unseen blade at any moment?
His fingers tapped lightly on the table, producing a monotonous yet rhythmic "tap, tap" sound.

Zhu Youjian's thoughts had already drifted back into the long river of history.

His predecessor, the Tianqi Emperor Zhu Youxiao, died at the age of twenty-three, and the cause of his death remains shrouded in mystery.

Going back further, Emperor Taichang, Zhu Changluo, died after only one month on the throne, and the famous "Red Pill Case" remains unsolved to this day.

Although Emperor Wanli lived a long life, he spent his later years in seclusion in the palace and did not attend court for decades. Wasn't this a sign of extreme insecurity about his own safety?

This magnificent Forbidden City has never been a safe haven.

It is the most magnificent cage in the world, and also the most dangerous hunting ground!
Every meal, every drink, every bite – behind every seemingly obedient palace maid and eunuch may lie a deeply entrenched interest group.

If he appears to be out of control, the Donglin Party will want him dead and replace him with a more obedient member of the imperial clan.

Within the eunuch faction, those who were suppressed by Wei Zhongxian might not necessarily not want to change masters.

Even those seemingly docile concubines in the harem, their families, and their desires could all become the most deadly poison!
He, Zhu Youjian, is now the most conspicuous and plump prey in this hunting ground!
……

Zhu Youjian's gaze finally drifted, seemingly casually, to the boxes.

Is 300,000 taels of silver a lot?

This is merely a drop in the ocean when it comes to filling the huge deficit in the national treasury.

However, it was an invaluable source of start-up capital for building an armed force that belonged solely to him and was absolutely loyal to him.

live.

To live with dignity and the right to live.

This is the foundation of all grand ambitions and great achievements!

Or,

A qualified CEO's first priority is to upgrade security and ensure that there are no listening devices or corporate spies in the office.

Zhu Youjian opened his eyes, his gaze now devoid of any hesitation.

"Announcement: Wei Zhongxian."

……

Half an hour later, Wei Zhongxian, who had just returned to his residence and hadn't even had a sip of hot water, was summoned back to the palace by imperial decree.

Wei Zhongxian was filled with trepidation.

Kneeling once more on the cold floor tiles of the Wenhua Hall, he didn't even dare to look up at the emperor's face.

"Get up."

Zhu Youjian's voice remained calm.

"I have a second task for you."

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty, and I will obey even unto death." Wei Zhongxian's voice carried a hint of submissiveness that he himself was unaware of... being tamed.

"Shouldn't the Eastern Depot's archives contain files on all the Imperial Guard officers in the capital?" Zhu Youjian asked.

“Your Majesty, from the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard down to the centurions of various garrisons, the Eastern Depot has records of all military officers in the capital,” Wei Zhongxian replied immediately, as this was his area of ​​expertise. “Very good.” Zhu Youjian pushed the sheet of Xuan paper with writing on it to the edge of the desk.

"I want you to find someone for me according to the requirements here."

Wei Zhongxian carefully got up, stepped forward, and took the paper with both hands.

By candlelight, he could make out the words on it.

The handwriting is slender and vigorous, sharp and unrestrained, just like its owner.

The paper contained only a few words, yet they were like several barbed awls, making Wei Zhongxian's heart pound with fear.

"First, one must have a clean background, with no political connections or criminal records within three generations."

"Secondly, he is exceptionally skilled in martial arts, but he is also resolute and dislikes showing off."

"Third, his official rank was no higher than the fifth grade, and he remained in that position for a long time without being promoted."

"Fourth, and most importantly: loyalty, not foolishness."

Wei Zhongxian's pupils suddenly contracted.

Each of these four conditions is extremely demanding and full of contradictions.

In today's Ming Dynasty officialdom, how can one gain a foothold without the support of a faction?

How could a talented person remain in a low position for too long without being promoted?
This in itself shows that he is either incompetent or lacks social skills.

The last point, "Loyalty, not foolishness," is even more incisive.

What is loyalty? Loyalty to the emperor.

What is foolishness? Foolish loyalty to the court, foolish loyalty to the law, foolish loyalty to those so-called "rules".

What the emperor was looking for was not a loyal minister of the court, but a servant who belonged only to him...
A clever and capable servant who only listens to him!

Wei Zhongxian understood instantly.

The emperor doesn't trust anyone.

They didn't trust the civil officials, the nobles, or even... the eunuch faction and the Eastern Depot under Wei Zhongxian!

He wanted to start from scratch and, right under everyone's noses, forge a dagger that truly belonged to him and that he would wear close to his body!
A chill ran through Wei Zhongxian's heart once again.

Wei Zhongxian realized that his "knife" might just be a scalpel used by the emperor to kill people outside.

What the emperor is looking for now is a short weapon to use for self-defense by his pillow!
The two are fundamentally different.

"What? Can't find it?" Zhu Youjian's voice drifted over.

"No, no!" Wei Zhongxian shuddered and quickly bowed. "This servant...this servant will do it right away! Please give this servant one night, Your Majesty. Even if I have to turn the Eastern Depot's archives upside down, I will definitely find this person for Your Majesty!"

"Go then." Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "I await your list."

……

That night, the Eastern Depot's office was brightly lit.

With Wei Zhongxian personally in charge, dozens of his most trusted criminal officials and archivists frantically searched through mountains of files.

The air was thick with the musty smell of paper, and everyone was on edge, because they could sense that their ancestor was truly risking his life this time.

As dawn broke, a list of only three names, which had been carefully selected, was presented to Wei Zhongxian.

He picked up the list and examined it one by one.

First one, cross that out. Although this person is brave, he has a volatile temper and is not fit for important tasks.

The second one, cross that out. This person appears calm and collected, but the case file shows that he has secret dealings with a certain merchant in Jiangnan, and his reputation is questionable.

His gaze fell on the last name.

"Zhou Quan. Twenty-seven years old. Jinyiwei Southern Garrison Commander, probationary centurion. He is a hereditary centurion; his father died in the Battle of Sarhu. He is highly skilled in martial arts, especially with a knife. He is quiet and reserved. He has served for eight years without any faults or merits. He is unmarried, has no cronies or social obligations in the capital, and sends most of his salary back to his hometown to support his elderly mother."

Wei Zhongxian's eyes narrowed slightly.

It's him!

(End of this chapter)