Chapter 18: When It Comes to Making Money, Nothing Beats Raiding a House

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“Your Majesty, Li Ruo-lian pays his respects!”
“Rise and speak!”
Chongzhen set down the memorials and glanced at the dozens of documents piled on the dragon desk, letting out a long, quiet sigh.
He finally understood why later generations called him a workaholic emperor—he had to review nearly a hundred memorials every day.
“Your Majesty, I have three matters to report.”
“First, the detailed inventory of the Ke family's confiscated assets has been completed.”
Li Ruo-lian said this as he presented a document with both hands. Wang Cheng’en quickly took it and passed it to Chongzhen.
“Your Majesty, we found 357,000 taels of silver, four houses, eight shops and estates, eighty hectares of fertile land, sixty-eight gifts from the late emperor, and over three hundred palace-use items... I have had three independent parties appraise the total value, which converts to over one million taels of silver.”
Chongzhen maintained a calm exterior, but inside he was delighted.
Truly, with the Ke family’s downfall, the imperial treasury would be well supplied.
He recalled unofficial histories recording that when he ascended the throne, to reward the border troops, thirty thousand taels were allocated, but the treasury was empty, so funds had to be drawn from the grain granaries.
Yet, two months later, one million three hundred thousand taels were suddenly distributed from the treasury.
During those two months, Wei Zhongxian and the Ke family were executed, leading later historians to deduce that the funds must have come from their confiscated assets.
Seeing the current inventory, it was clear that when the confiscation first occurred, the Jinyiwei and officials in charge had surely embezzled a portion.
Chongzhen mused that in terms of raising money, nothing was faster than confiscating family assets—between the Ke and Chen Derun cases, they had obtained one million three hundred thousand taels of silver.
With this amount, funds were secured to build the elite Tengxiang Guards and train new troops.
At that moment, he truly wished to confiscate the assets of Qian Qianyi and four others—though the other four could be spared, Qian Qianyi’s family was one of the three great houses of Jiangnan and the region’s wealthiest; seizing their wealth would likely yield several million taels in cash.
The annual military expenses for Liaodong would be well covered.
Unfortunately, he could not act so boldly at this stage—if he ordered mass confiscations and exterminations, all court officials would live in fear, and who would then carry out his orders?
Though the current group was not very competent, at least the government still operated in an orderly fashion.
“I need only the silver; take care of the rest as you see fit!”
“And keep a close watch on your men!”
“I understand, if anyone dares to overreach, I will cut off their hands!”
Li Ruo-lian responded, then continued: “Ke’s son Hou Guoxing, his elder brother’s son Ke Guangxian, and one hundred sixty-seven others have all been arrested and are ready for execution at Your Majesty’s command.”

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“Subject them to severe interrogation, record all their crimes thoroughly, and await my orders!”
Chongzhen placed the list on the dragon desk and continued: “Now, the other matters.”
“Your Majesty, the second matter concerns Qian Qianyi and the other four.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Your Majesty, I have received intelligence that in the capital there is a mansion called the Jiangnan Guild Hall, a gathering place for scholars from Jiangnan. After the news of Qian Qianyi and the others’ executions spread today, dozens entered the guild hall in succession. Due to tight security, I have been unable to learn the details of their discussions.”
“Those confirmed to be present include Qian Yuanque, an official from the Ministry of War...”
Chongzhen tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, then after a long moment said, “Let them be.”
Hearing this, Li Ruo-lian was somewhat bewildered.
This was clearly the Donglin faction stirring trouble. What did “let them be” mean?
But the emperor had spoken, so he dared not ask further.
“Your Majesty, the third matter concerns your father-in-law, Lord Zhou Kui. Here are the investigation results.”
When Li Ruo-lian spoke, his voice involuntarily lowered—the findings were so shocking he feared the emperor might, in anger, order Zhou Kui’s execution.
The emperor had just ascended the throne, and killing his own father-in-law would surely cause scandal among the scholars.
After reviewing the list, Chongzhen was impressed by Zhou Kui’s speed and skill in amassing wealth. From the time Empress Zhou joined the Prince of Xin’s household until now, only a year and a half had passed, yet his assets were worth over 600,000 taels of silver.
The confiscated cash alone was 330,000 taels, of which 280,000 taels were collected in the month of his ascension.
Later histories recorded that Zhou Kui, under severe torture, revealed assets worth three million taels of silver—this seemed to be true.
After placing the evidence on the dragon desk, Chongzhen said calmly, “I understand. You need not concern yourselves with this matter any further.”
“Li Ruo-lian, when you return, select a large shop in the capital, hire craftsmen skilled in printing and engraving, and recruit some trustworthy scholars. Stock up on four-foot full sheets of bamboo paper. Await my orders and then proceed.”
“I understand, Your Majesty. I take my leave!”
Li Ruo-lian was good in this regard—though he had doubts, he did not ask questions. Whatever the emperor said was to be done.
“Daban, for tonight’s meal, add two extra dishes at the Empress’s quarters!”
“As you command, Your Majesty!”
Fifteen minutes later, Chongzhen entered the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, where Empress Zhou immediately greeted him.
“If only I had known Your Majesty would dine here tonight, I would have cooked myself.”
Hearing her gentle voice, the harshness in Chongzhen’s heart softened somewhat.

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The two ate slowly, and for the first time in a while, Chongzhen felt some peace.
When he first entered the East Warm Chamber of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, seeing the pile of memorials and the court officials, he had wanted nothing more than to become a butcher and slaughter them all.
After the meal, they chatted quietly. Chongzhen said, “Feng’er, today I executed the Ke family. Have you visited my elder sister-in-law?”
“I have. Upon hearing the news, she wept bitterly and fainted from grief. I stayed with her in the Palace of Compassion and Celebration until the evening.”
“Hm, she is a woman who has suffered much. I cannot visit her myself. When you have the chance, visit her more often.”
“I understand, Your Majesty. You may focus on state affairs; I will manage the harem well.”
After a brief conversation, Chongzhen suddenly said, “Feng’er, I have something to tell you!”
“Daban, bring it in!”
Empress Zhou was somewhat surprised as she took the paper handed by Wang Cheng’en. Moments later, her expression changed drastically to disbelief and panic, and she knelt down in shock.
“Your Majesty, my father...”
Zhou Yufeng did not defend her father. If the emperor had not brought this evidence, it would have been ironclad; now, any defense would only anger him further.
“Feng’er, rise.”
Chongzhen helped Empress Zhou up. “This was uncovered by the Jinyiwei. Were it not for his status as my father-in-law, he would already be under arrest.”
“The court is a treacherous place, party struggles are fierce, and with his temperament, it is only a matter of time before he becomes a tool in others’ hands. When that day comes, do you think I should spare him or not?”
“Feng’er, I do not wish to make things difficult for you. If he hands over all his assets, I will spare him, treat him well, and keep him away from trouble. What do you think?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding!”
Zhou Yufeng bowed again, then hesitated: “Your Majesty, my father is greedy and stingy. To get him to surrender his assets...”
“No matter. You need only do as I say.”
Chongzhen whispered a few words in Empress Zhou’s ear; she nodded repeatedly.
“Summon Zhou Kui to the palace!”