Chapter 44: The Beheading of Cui Chengxiu, Minister of War

“Is there still a choice now? If we don’t take a side, will His Majesty settle accounts with us afterward?”

“This new emperor is no ordinary man; he will never tolerate any power beyond his control.”

“But, Your Majesty has such means, surely he intends to revitalize the Ming Dynasty. Reforming the military and political affairs is inevitable. Bringing Li Banghua back must be for this very purpose. The imperial garrison in the capital is rotten, with ghost soldiers and all sorts of corruption. Would His Majesty not hold them accountable?”

Zhang Weixian first nodded, then shook his head, his frustration evident as he grimaced sharply.

“Don’t trouble yourself with these matters; just focus on what I arrange for you.”

“These carefree days won’t last much longer!”

With a sigh, Zhang Weixian completed his inspection of the capital garrison and returned to his residence.

The next morning at court, the ministers all looked at Li Banghua, who stood with a cane inside the Huangji Hall, utterly speechless.

He had been stabbed twice and yet insisted on attending court? What kind of example was this setting for the rest of us? How are we supposed to find excuses to request leave when we’re ill?

As expected, after the ministers grumbled, Emperor Chongzhen praised him: “Esteemed ministers, Minister Li, despite being wounded twice, still insists on attending court. Such spirit should be a model for all.”

In an instant, countless resentful glances turned toward Li Banghua, who sneered coldly.

After a call to present evidence or withdraw, the ministers began submitting memorials, with Chongzhen responding sporadically.

Half an hour later, the usually silent Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Weixian, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!”

The court ministers were instantly shaken. This noble was the foremost among the hereditary aristocracy. If he spoke, it meant serious matters.

“Please proceed, Duke of Yingguo.”

The Duke bowed humbly: “Your Majesty, I impeach Minister of War Cui Chengxiu on six charges:

First, he is lowly in ambition and lives in filth;

Second, he lacks integrity and openly buys and sells offices;

Third, he frames the loyal and falsely accuses faithful ministers and generals;

Fourth, he panders to palace eunuchs and usurps court affairs;

Fifth, he abuses power to accept bribes and embezzle;

Sixth, under the pretext of minting coins, he destroys ancient bells, tripods, and ritual vessels.”

With each charge, the ministers silently cursed in their hearts.

Each single charge would be enough to execute Cui Chengxiu; all six combined would warrant execution multiple times over.

“Your Majesty, I, Yang Hong, an official in the Ministry of Personnel, impeach Wei Zhongxian. During the late reign of the previous emperor, he forged imperial edicts to transform himself into Minister of War and Left Censor-in-Chief, a crime of deceiving the sovereign!”

“Your Majesty, from the Ministry of Revenue and Personnel…”

…

“Your Majesty, Minister of War Cui Chengxiu is corrupt beyond measure. Only execution can appease the people's wrath.”

After Zhang Weixian, several officials followed suit, all unanimously impeaching Cui Chengxiu.

Chongzhen was puzzled. The Duke of Yingguo and the hereditary nobles usually remained neutral. Why would they now move against the eunuch faction at such a critical moment?

If he did not know Zhang Weixian, he might even suspect the aristocratic group was interfering in the civil officials’ affairs.

“Esteemed ministers, impeaching ministers of the six ministries without evidence is a grave crime.”

“Your Majesty, here is the evidence. Please examine it.”

Zhang Weixian produced a thick stack of documents, raising them high above his head. Wang Cheng’en hurried down to receive and present them to Chongzhen.

Cui Chengxiu immediately knelt and wailed, “Your Majesty, I am innocent!”

“Silence! What do you think my identity is? The title of Duke of Yingguo has been passed down for eight generations since Emperor Chengzu’s time. Do you think I would falsely accuse you?”

Zhang Weixian shouted angrily, then pointed at the other impeaching ministers: “Even if I were falsely accusing you, these are ministers from the Ministries of Revenue, Personnel, and Justice—all united in this accusation. Do you think we would conspire together without cause?”

“The evidence is here. Truth cannot be faked, falsehood cannot be made true. If you are innocent, what is there to fear?”

After a moment, Chongzhen finished reviewing the evidence, his face darkening.

Setting aside other matters, the number of offices sold reached dozens, ranging from deputy inspectors of the fourth rank to prefects, magistrates, salt commissioners, and clerks.

The bribes and proceeds from selling offices—antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and silver—amounted to over one million taels.

Wei Zhongxian stepped forward with a grim expression and whispered, “Your Majesty, Cui Chengxiu is Minister of War, this is…”

“Wei Zhongxian, do you think the Duke of Yingguo is giving you face?”

Zhang Weixian stepped forward two paces, eyes piercing Wei Zhongxian: “I refrained from responding before because I was too lazy to deal with you. Do you think I fear you?”

Then he turned to Chongzhen and cupped his hands: “Your Majesty, I pledge, on behalf of the Duke of Yingguo’s household with hundreds of lives, that if this evidence is false, I will die to atone!”

“We also pledge our lives and fortunes as guarantee!”

The other impeaching ministers all stood in unison.

Witnessing this, Cui Chengxiu, who had been calm before, was now thoroughly panicked, trembling on the ground. Wei Zhongxian’s expression turned utterly dark.

“Guards, drag Cui Chengxiu to the west market at Caishi Gate and execute him!”

Since the Duke of Yingguo was willing to stake his entire household’s lives on the evidence, it was surely genuine. Chongzhen had been fretting over how to deal with Cui; now the Duke had acted decisively. If not now, then when?

Two embroidered uniform guards seized Cui Chengxiu outside Huangji Hall and dragged him away without allowing him to defend himself.

“As for those involved in buying and selling offices and accepting bribes, all shall be dismissed and investigated thoroughly. Examine whether they displayed corruption, embezzlement, or negligence. If found guilty, their entire families shall be confiscated.”

“Moreover, their families shall be banned from participating in imperial examinations for all eternity.”

After Chongzhen’s decree, the Duke of Yingguo stepped forward again.

“Your Majesty, now is the time to quell the Shaanxi rebellion and mobilize troops. With Minister of War Cui Chengxiu executed, the Ministry of War cannot be leaderless even for a day. I propose Li Banghua as Minister of War.”

“We agree!”

The impeaching ministers also voiced their support.

Li Banghua was stunned. Happiness had come too suddenly. Yesterday he was appointed a fourth-rank commander of the Five Cities Patrol, and today he was suddenly elevated to the second-rank Minister of War.

Two promotions in two days, a leap of sixteen official ranks—it felt like a dream.

Chongzhen addressed the ministers: “Esteemed ministers, although this was proposed by the Duke of Yingguo, the Minister of War is a second-rank position and must follow the proper court nomination process. After the court session ends, you may proceed.”

“But the Duke’s point is well taken. The Ministry of War is in a special situation and cannot be left without a leader. Li Banghua shall first be promoted to Left Deputy Minister of War to temporarily oversee the ministry. After the court nominations conclude, the permanent Minister of War will be determined.”

“I thank Your Majesty for your grace.”

Positions of the six ministers always sparked fierce competition among officials. Chongzhen intended to delay the final appointment.

He would postpone a few more days until the White Banner troops entered the city. Then he could appoint whoever he wished as Minister of War.

However, it could not be Li Banghua. His straightforward nature would certainly offend many and not be conducive to the ministry’s work.

Moreover, although Li Banghua had reformed military affairs in one region, his overall coordination skills were lacking. After military reforms were completed, he might be considered.

Currently, the best candidates for Minister of War were three: Sun Chengzong, Yuan Keli, and Sun Chuanting.

The first two possessed strategic vision and had orchestrated the Three-Front Strategy, with sufficient experience and prestige. The latter was the most capable general of Chongzhen’s reign.

In fact, Hong Chengchou was also a suitable candidate, at least before his defeat and capture fifteen years earlier. He had been diligent and meritorious, famously reducing Li Zicheng’s forces to a mere eighteen cavalry fleeing.

Used properly, he could have been a great general of the era.

“Your Majesty, I have another memorial!”

Just as everyone thought the session was ending, the Duke of Yingguo stood once more.

The ministers were all startled. What was this powerful figure up to now? Having just eliminated the Minister of War, whom would he impeach next?

Unconsciously, their eyes shifted toward Wei Zhongxian in the front row.