Chapter 45: The Duke of England’s “Surrender”

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Is this an attempt to eliminate Wei Zhongxian? Among the ministers, a number of officials were filled with excitement, secretly rubbing their hands and eager to act. As soon as Zhang Weixian impeached Wei Zhongxian, they would immediately follow suit.

It wasn’t that no one had impeached Wei Zhongxian before, but those who did lacked sufficient influence. Now that the Duke of England has raised the charge, the emperor would surely conduct a thorough investigation into Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian’s face was so dark it seemed to drip water, the veins on his hand clutching the tablet bulging. The ministers allied with Wei Zhongxian were also filled with dread; if he fell, their fate would be unbearably miserable.

Chongzhen’s expression grew grave. “Duke of England, please speak.”

“Your Majesty, over a month ago, after your inspection of the Imperial Camp, I have led the camp in rigorous training day and night. The results over the past month have been considerable, and I wish to request Your Majesty’s presence once again for a review.

To better assess the effectiveness, I ask Your Majesty to mobilize the Inner Training Troops.

Firstly, the surrounding garrison troops and the Imperial Camp are all familiar with each other, so their combat effectiveness cannot be properly tested.

Secondly, the Inner Training Troops have trained independently without real combat experience; this is also for their benefit. I beg Your Majesty’s approval.”

What the...?

This was the heartfelt thought of the ministers—after all that, this is the game being played?

Wei Zhongxian was equally puzzled. What kind of farce was this? Was this an attempt to slap his own face?

“Your Majesty, due to space constraints for this drill, six thousand troops from the Imperial Camp and six thousand from the Inner Training Troops will participate. I request Your Majesty’s permission.”

Postscript: Both the Frost Ape Collection and Ming History record that Wei Zhongxian trained a eunuch army numbering forty thousand, called the “Pure Army” or “Inner Training Troops.” By the late Ming, empty salaries were rampant; even if the number wasn’t exactly forty thousand, it surely numbered in the tens of thousands, as this force later took part in the defense of Beijing.

“What is the detailed plan?”

“Three days from now, at the hour of the dragon, the drill will begin. Both sides’ soldiers will enter the Imperial Camp tonight.”

“Approved!”

Chongzhen showed no hesitation. “Wei Zhongxian, you will command the Inner Training Troops and cooperate with the Duke of England.”

“I obey Your Majesty’s order!”

Regardless of the Duke’s intentions, this was a win-win situation for him. Even if the Inner Training Troops were disbanded later, this drill was beneficial.

“That is all. If there is nothing else, court is dismissed.”

After the court session, Chongzhen returned to the East Warm Pavilion, an inscrutable expression on his face. The Duke of England’s behavior was too strange.

“Your Majesty, this is a message transmitted early from the Fang family,” Wang Cheng’en handed over a small sealed note. Chongzhen opened it and glanced quickly; he immediately stood up, his face beaming with joy.

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“Excellent, the day has finally come!”

Clutching the note tightly, Chongzhen was filled with excitement.

The note contained only seven characters: “Zhendong Prefecture, will enter the capital in three days.”

This was news of troop movements from Qin Liangyu; the White Pole troops he had longed for were finally approaching the capital.

“Fang Zhenghua, go to the Imperial Treasury and withdraw fifty thousand taels of silver. Have Ruan Kangwen procure some fine wine and meat. When Qin Liangyu arrives, I want to reward them handsomely.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Wait!”

As he touched the note, a sudden dreadful thought arose in Chongzhen’s mind, and his expression changed instantly.

“Summon the Duke of England to see me!”

Though Wang Cheng’en did not understand what had come over the emperor, he obeyed the order. Fortunately, the Duke had not gone far after court.

Fifteen minutes later, the Duke of England arrived at the East Warm Pavilion.

“Your Majesty, Zhang Weixian pays respects!”

Zhang Weixian was a national duke and did not kneel before the emperor. Chongzhen fixed his gaze on Zhang Weixian for a full cup of tea’s time.

Though Zhang Weixian had weathered countless storms, the young emperor’s piercing eyes pressed heavily upon him, as if they could see straight into his soul.

After a full cup of tea, Chongzhen finally spoke, “Daban, please be seated and have some tea.”

Once Zhang Weixian sat, Chongzhen said, “Duke of England, should I thank you, or should I have you executed?”

The Duke, who had just raised his tea to sip, spilled it instantly at the emperor’s words.

Wang Cheng’en and Fang Zhenghua’s faces were filled with shock—just moments ago, they had aided in removing the Minister of War, and now the emperor spoke of killing him?

After a long pause, Zhang Weixian whispered, “Your Majesty, I acknowledge my guilt.”

“Speak. What is your purpose in doing this?”

“To retain the Dukedom of England for the Zhang family and to resume command of the Imperial Camp.”

“Resuming command of the Imperial Camp? Haha... you dare make demands of me?”

Chongzhen sneered. “After you resume command, will you remain neutral and keep to yourself as before?”

Thud—

Zhang Weixian knelt. “Your Majesty, I vow that from now on, the Zhang family shall be loyal only to Your Majesty.”

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Chongzhen rose from the dragon table, approached Zhang Weixian, and helped him to his feet. “Duke of England, your dukedom has passed down through eight generations since Emperor Chengzu, each loyal to the royal family, and the dynasty has trusted the Zhang family greatly.

Now, as the Ming faces storms and turmoil, if you do not aid me, when the Ming falls, will your family still enjoy such honor?

Do you think the Manchus will spare the meritorious nobles of Ming? If you surrender, your descendants will be nailed to the pillar of shame for generations. After death, how will you face your ancestors?

I promise you, as long as you remain loyal to me, as long as the Zhang family does not act recklessly, while I live, the Zhang family will remain the foremost meritorious noble of Ming.”

“I understand!”

“Very well, go. Follow your plan. In three days, I want to end this once and for all.

Also, prepare some fine wine and meat; I want to reward them.”

After bowing, Zhang Weixian slowly left the pavilion. Once outside, a cold wind blew, chilling him to the bone.

Though the emperor had not questioned him directly, he had seen through Zhang’s entire scheme. Such strategy was hardly the work of a mere seventeen-year-old.

Could remaining neutral truly ensure safety? In the short term, yes.

But in the long run, Zhang would surely be eliminated. No emperor would tolerate a power near the throne that he could neither control nor allow to threaten the dynasty.

As for rebellion—don’t even think about it. The nobles would never side with him. His forces could not even defeat the Twenty-One Guards.

If the elite troops of Tengxiang, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Five Cities Military Command gathered in the palace and held out for two days, the border troops from Liaodong, Jizhou, and Yifu would arrive in the capital within that time.

Even dukes personally granted titles by the Ming founders were executed; this tradition had lasted over two centuries. What wouldn’t an emperor dare to do?

Zhang wiped cold sweat from his brow, glanced once more at the East Warm Pavilion, then strode boldly into the bitter wind.

Though fully submitting to the emperor and losing his freedom, he secured the future prosperity of the Zhang family. Whether this bargain was profit or loss, only he knew.

Chongzhen stood within the pavilion, watching Zhang’s figure disappear into the cold wind through the window, sighing at the fickleness of fate.

After a cautious wait of a month, the supposedly neutral power had “surrendered.”

Such is the power wielded by control over the military; if the White Pole troops were not already closing in on Beijing, this old man would surely have remained neutral.

“Military power... when you command absolute force, the world yields to you. Keep going!”

After his reflection, Chongzhen withdrew his gaze.

He too had preparations to make.

“Fang Zhenghua, summon Wei Zhongxian to see me!”