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

The investigation and handling of the Dongcheng Thousand Household Office immediately caused a huge uproar.

From Qian An, the commander of a thousand households, to the deputy commanders, centurions, and probationary centurions, and even several generals and junior officers, all of them were arrested and imprisoned in the Zhaoyu Prison.

Almost no one in the entire Dongcheng Thousand-Household Office, including the officials of its subordinate Hundred-Household Offices, escaped unscathed.

Luo Yangxing returned to the Beizhen Prefecture and did not rush to the next office.

The proverb "kill the chicken to scare the monkey" has been used to describe the act of killing the chicken to warn the monkey. Now that the chicken has been killed, we need to wait and see how the monkey reacts.

Sure enough, less than two hours later, people from the West City Thousand Household Office arrived.

Deputy Commander Zhang Zhi confessed to receiving a salary without working and reported Commander Liu Jinde, claiming that receiving a salary without working was Liu Jinde's idea and that most of the money went into Liu Jinde's pocket. He now surrendered all his earnings in hopes of receiving a lighter sentence.

Next, a group of captains arrived at the West City Police Station in a menacing manner and arrested a large number of officers again.

Seeing that the other party was serious, the crowd no longer dared to resist and rushed to the Beizhen Prefecture to surrender themselves.

By the time the news reached the Zhou residence, it was already late.

Zhou Kui advised, "Luo Yangxing usually doesn't dare to offend anyone, but today he's made such a big fuss. It must be His Majesty's doing. You should go to the palace and speak to His Majesty on his behalf, lest you get yourself into trouble."

"Father, are you getting senile? No matter how much His Majesty cracks down on the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he wouldn't target our Zhou family, would he?"

"This is suspicious; I think it's clearly aimed at you!"

"How is that possible?"

Zhou Jian waved his hand and said, "Just put your family at ease. Even if those people make baseless accusations, you still have your sister. She wouldn't just stand by and watch someone die, would she?"

At this moment, Zhou Kui remembered the silver notes that Wang Chengen had sent, so he took them out.

"This was sent by your elder sister. You must personally deliver it to the palace first thing tomorrow morning!"

Zhou Jian took the money, counted it, and chuckled, "It seems my elder sister isn't having an easy time either. I'll return these five thousand taels tomorrow, okay?"

"Um……"

Zhou Jian hesitated for a moment, then reached out and pulled out two silver notes.

"Three thousand taels is enough. If we donate too much, we will inevitably arouse suspicion from the officials."

"Father, this is my older sister's money. Aren't you going to add some, or are you going to take it back?"

"You don't know anything!"

Zhou Kui glared at him, then said, "If my Zhou family donates five thousand taels, what about the others?"

"Let them do whatever they want, what business is it of the Zhou family?"

"You still don't understand!"

Zhou Kui sighed repeatedly and said, "If they don't donate, His Majesty will definitely be dissatisfied. If they do donate, he will surely harbor resentment, and in the end, it will all be blamed on my Zhou family. How will you and my son face the court after that?"

"Okay, I understand!"

Zhou Jian put away the silver notes, turned around and left.

"Where are you going so late?"

"I've made plans to go drinking with someone!"

"With things so tense right now, you still have the leisure to drink?"

"Don't worry, it's nothing!"

Seeing Zhou Jian turn away without looking back, Zhou Kui shook his head helplessly.

His Majesty's decision to reorganize the Embroidered Uniform Guard suggests that some major action is likely to follow.

However, the current situation did not arise overnight.

If Beijing really cannot be defended, the Zhou family will need to leave themselves a way out.

After much thought, I decided to go and have a talk with the Duke of Cheng.

The Duke of Cheng was appointed Grand Commander of the Five Armies, wielding considerable military power. Regardless of who wins the throne in the future, this military power will be an important bargaining chip in negotiations.

As the commander of the Left Army Commandery, even if I can't eat meat, I should at least have some soup!

Half an hour later, Zhou Kui knocked on the gate of the Duke of Cheng's mansion.

Zhu Chunchen had not yet fallen asleep when he heard that Zhou Kui had arrived, so he hurried to the front hall to greet him.

"The Earl of Jiading has graced my humble abode with his presence so late at night; I have failed to greet him properly! I have truly failed to welcome him properly!"

Zhou Kui clasped his hands in a respectful bow: "You are too kind, Duke Cheng. I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."

"Oh, Earl of Jiading, what are you saying? Please, have a seat!"

A maidservant brought hot tea, and the two declined each other's offer before taking their seats.

Zhou Kui took a small sip and exclaimed, "Excellent tea, truly excellent tea!"

Zhu Chunchen smiled and said, "If the Earl of Jiading likes it, he may take it and drink it."

"Thank you very much!"

After Zhou Kui finished speaking, he glanced at the maid standing beside him.

Zhu Chunchen understood and ordered, "Everyone go out and wait. No one is allowed to enter without my permission!"

"yes!"

The maid bowed and left, closing the door behind her.

Zhu Chunchen then asked, "What brings the Earl of Jiading here so late at night?"

Zhou Kui said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard was in complete chaos today. Does the Duke of Cheng know anything about it?"

Zhu Chunchen nodded, then shook his head, and said, "The affairs of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are none of our concern. We don't know..."

"That may be true, but hasn't the Duke of Cheng noticed anything wrong?"

"No problem... there really isn't one."

Zhou Kui bluntly stated, "His Majesty's recent behavior is quite unusual!"

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

"His Majesty called upon all officials to donate, but in the end only a little over 20,000 taels of silver were raised. However, in just one day, hundreds of thousands of taels were seized from within the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I heard that the number is still increasing, and it may exceed one million tomorrow!"

Zhu Chunchen gasped. He only knew that His Majesty was investigating the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but he did not know that so much silver had been found!

Suddenly, he remembered that His Majesty had said in court that he would first allocate 200,000 taels of silver to Chen Yan, and the rest would arrive soon.

That's it!

"This news from the Earl of Jiading is very important. However, this move not only purges the corrupt elements within the Embroidered Uniform Guard but also replenishes military funds. It's clearly a good thing, so why does the Earl of Jiading look so worried?"

"Duke Cheng, have you considered what His Majesty will do next, now that he has so easily obtained a million taels of silver?"

Zhu Chunchen's expression changed. Indeed, if His Majesty gets addicted to confiscating property, it will be difficult to manage.

Making money by confiscating property is too quick; sooner or later, it will end up on your own head.

But you, Zhou Kui, are the father-in-law of the current emperor. What are you worried about?

With the Empress around, as long as the Zhou family doesn't rebel, they can be assured of a peaceful life for generations to come.

"The Earl of Jiading is overthinking it. His Majesty's investigation revealed that high-ranking members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were receiving salaries without working. We are all upright and honest; what is there to fear?"

Zhou Kui smiled wryly and said, "Duke Cheng, we both work in the Five Armies Commandery. At least 50% of the staff in the Five Armies Commandery are paid without working. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Zhu Chunchen's expression changed, and he asked, "What exactly is the Earl of Jiading trying to say?"

Zhou Kui said, "I need a way out!"

"What?"

Zhu Chunchen seemed not to understand.

Zhou Kui said again, "If Beijing falls, I hope that when Duke Cheng seeks a better position, he will remember to take my Zhou family with him."

Zhu Chunchen was completely dumbfounded after hearing this.

If the Ming Dynasty is truly doomed, all the officials in the court can surrender, except for your Zhou family.

Because you are the emperor's father-in-law, and your son is the emperor's brother-in-law.

You surely understand this principle, right?