I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

Sun Biao said impatiently, "Kill me or torture me, just give me a quick death!"

"Answer me, didn't you just say that someone was withholding the soldiers' compensation money?"

Wang Dehua's expression was very solemn because this matter was closely related to the Eastern Depot, and in fact, it originated from the Eastern Depot.

Emperor Chongzhen initially sent the Eastern Depot to investigate the distribution of relief funds. However, the people he sent out only knew how to eat and drink extravagantly when they arrived at the destination, and they even brought back a lot of local specialties before leaving.

This led to Chen Wangshi and her son going to the capital to file a complaint, and the most direct consequence was that more than a hundred people from the Eastern Depot were held accountable.

Gao Qiqian, the commander of the thousand-household executioners, was beheaded for dereliction of duty. The others were punished according to the severity of their crimes: some were demoted, some were flogged, and some were exiled to Fengyang to guard the imperial tombs.

What's even more alarming is that the Shandong officials' reaction after the Embroidered Uniform Guard's thorough investigation was quite unusual.

Because Liu Zeqing and his men hold considerable military power, if they are pushed too far, they might rebel!

But from what Sun Biao just said, it seems they themselves are unaware of the truth.

Sun Biao's eyes were bloodshot, and he spat out a mouthful of bloody foam: "Stop pretending! If it weren't for your factory and security guards embezzling the compensation money, so many brothers who died in battle wouldn't even have enough for a coffin! They had wives and children to support. You even embezzle money from the dead, are you even human?"

Wang Dehua's face darkened: "Commander Sun, you've probably been tricked. The pension funds are applied for by the Ministry of War, approved by the Ministry of Revenue, and distributed to local government offices and garrisons. What does it have to do with our factory and garrison?"

Sun Biao retorted, his neck stiff, "You secret police have so many tricks up your sleeves! Who knows how you embezzle! I'm risking my life on the front lines, and I can't even get my full pay!"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Wang Dehua's eyes: "Your rations and salaries aren't being paid in full, and your pensions are being withheld. Haven't you considered that it was your officers above you who were responsible?"

Sun Biao suddenly froze, a look of confusion flashing in his bloodshot eyes: "This...it can't be..."

What do you mean by "probably not"?

"I...I haven't thought about it yet..."

"you--"

Wang Dehua almost laughed out loud in anger. This big, burly man was actually a naive fool who was sold out and was even helping to count the money!

He suppressed his anger and said, "Commander Sun, you're thirty-eight years old this year. You've managed to rise to the rank of commander in Dengzhou Garrison; you shouldn't be this muddle-headed!"

Sun Biao blushed with embarrassment, but still stubbornly retorted, "Don't give me that! Censor Du already said it was your secret police—"

You mean Du Yang?

Wang Dehua suddenly interrupted him, sneering, "A seventh-rank censor can't even get into the Ministry of War. How would he know the process for distributing the pensions? And how could he be sure it was the secret police? Even if he knows everything, I ask you, do you have any evidence?"

Sun Biao was speechless for a moment, because he really hadn't thought about these things.

He's a master at charging into battle, but he's unwilling to use his brain.

Wang Dehua pressed his advantage: "Let me ask you, didn't Du Yang also tell you that as long as Luo Yangxing was brought down, the court would thoroughly investigate the Imperial Guard, and your pensions would be issued?"

Sun Biao's eyes widened, clearly realizing that his secret had been exposed.

Wang Dehua shook his head and sighed, "How foolish! You've been used as pawns and you don't even realize it!"

Sun Biao thought for a moment and said, "Our Commander Wei is from Shandong. He's an honest man and wouldn't lie to me!"

"What...what can I even say about you!"

Wang Dehua sighed heavily, and then recounted the whole story.

After listening, Sun Biao asked in confusion, "Chen Dayong? He's one of my soldiers!"

Wang Dehua quickly asked, "Do you recognize his family?"

"We've met once..."

"Someone come here!"

Wang Dehua impatiently ordered, "Quickly bring Chen Wangshi and her son over! Be quick!"

Then he felt that this place was not suitable for meeting, so he called someone over.

"Untie him, treat his wound, and then find him some clean clothes!"

"yes!"

Seeing someone untying the ropes binding him, Sun Biao asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

Wang Dehua sneered, "Our home is still here, do you think you can run away?"

Sun Biao was immediately annoyed. Who would have thought that this damned eunuch was actually a master?

A moment later, he had changed into clean clothes, but his injuries were quite severe, and he was grimacing in pain when he walked.

Chen Wangshi and her son had arrived and were waiting in a side room, unaware of what had happened.

When the door opened, Sun Biao was immediately stunned: "Is it really you?"

Madam Chen was also stunned: "Brother Sun...?"

Sun Biao's eyes immediately reddened, and he said, "What are you doing here?"

Then Chen Wangshi recounted the whole story, which was exactly the same as what Wang Dehua had told her, and even more detailed.

After hearing this, Sun Biao was already seven or eight parts convinced. He looked at Chen Xiaohu and asked, "Xiaohu, is that so?"

Chen Xiaohu nodded timidly and said, "I also met a lot of older brothers. They are very kind and taught me to read."

Sun Biao remained silent for a long time before turning around and kneeling on one knee: "Eunuch Wang, I'm a reckless man, I was very rude just now!"

Wang Dehua reached out and helped the man up: "Are you willing to talk now?"

Sun Biao nodded vigorously and said, "So it turns out my brothers and I were all fooled. Ask me anything you want!"

"good!"

Wang Dehua first had someone send Chen Wangshi and her son back, and then ordered people to bring up the roast chicken, braised beef, and a pot of liquor that he had just bought.

"You must be hungry after all that work, have something to eat!"

Sun Biao didn't stand on ceremony. He poured himself a bowl of wine, gulped it down, then picked up the roast chicken, tore off a leg, and began to devour it.

Wang Dehua watched him slowly, and only after he had finished a chicken leg did he ask, "Who sent you?"

While eating and drinking, Sun Biao said, "I belong to the Left Army Thousand-Household Office of Dengzhou Guard. The highest-ranking officer in my area is Thousand-Household Commander Liu Qi. This trip to the capital was personally arranged by Thousand-Household Commander Liu."

"I need you to explain in more detail, the more detailed the better!"

Sun Biao took a swig of wine, wiped his mouth, and said, "Commander Liu said that those sons of bitches from the Embroidered Uniform Guard have withheld our Dengzhou Guard's rations and pensions. Commander Liu, the Shandong General, went to the court to demand them back, but that angered the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who sent men to Shandong to retaliate. If we don't bring down the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the brothers won't even have food, let alone rations and pensions!"

After saying that, he grabbed a piece of braised beef and stuffed it into his mouth, continuing indistinctly, "Commander Liu gave me that letter written in blood, saying it was jointly written by the families of the fallen soldiers. He told me to personally deliver it to Censor Du, saying that Censor Du is an upright official and would definitely speak up for us in court."

Wang Dehua continued, "How much of your Dengzhou garrison's rations and pay was specifically withheld? And what about the pensions?"

Sun Biao counted on his thick fingers: "From last October until now, our Zuojun Thousand-Household Garrison has only received 70% of its monthly rations and pay. In the last three months, it's only received 50%."

"As for the compensation, last year during the Dengzhouwei landing operation in Korea, our garrison alone lost over a hundred men. According to regulations, each person should receive thirty taels of silver in compensation, but as far as I know, most of their families haven't received this money."

A glint of light flashed in Wang Dehua's eyes: "Your rations and pay have been halved, and your pensions have been withheld, isn't anyone going to stand up and say a word?"

Sun Biao scratched his head: "Yes, it happened, but our commander said we can't afford to offend the Imperial Guards, and told us not to make a fuss, lest we get ourselves into trouble."

"Ha!" Wang Dehua sneered, "They're trying to pin the blame on us!"