Chapter 7: Inviting the Ministers to Witness the Drama
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“Tian Ergeng, as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has failed to maintain strict discipline and is hereby demoted to deputy commander. Xu Xianchun, the deputy commander, has been negligent in his duties and is demoted to garrison commissioner!”
“Additionally, they shall each receive twenty strokes of the court baton and have their salaries docked for one year.”
“Wei Zhongxian, are you satisfied with this outcome?”
Wei Zhongxian remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply and said, “Both thunder and rain are gifts from His Majesty’s grace!”
“I thank Your Majesty for your heavenly favor!”
Tian Ergeng and Xu Xianchun, still kneeling, were overjoyed. They had feared this affair might lead to execution, but now it was only demotion and twenty strokes of the court baton. The Embroidered Uniform Guard were their own men, and the twenty strokes were merely ceremonial.
Losing their official ranks was no great harm; the Embroidered Uniform Guard had many loyal followers. If the emperor dared appoint a new commander, they had ways to eliminate him. After all, the position had to remain in their hands.
As for the salary deduction, it was but a trivial matter.
Before they could fully rejoice, the emperor said, “Fang Zhenghua, you will administer the punishment personally!”
In an instant, their faces froze in shock.
Today, Fang Zhenghua had single-handedly fought against a hundred soldiers in the capital camp, “killing” over sixty. His formidable reputation had spread throughout the capital camp, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the court officials.
He was a true warrior. Even with their years of martial training, after twenty strokes from him, they would likely be bedridden for a month.
“Gentlemen, shall the servants drag you down, or will you go willingly?”
Tian Ergeng and Xu Xianchun said nothing and walked towards the rear. Moments later, their agonized screams pierced the air.
Listening to their cries, Emperor Chongzhen looked again at Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian.
“Wang Tiqian, as the chief eunuch overseeing the Directorate of Ceremonies and supervising all twenty-four government offices, is this how you do your duty?”
“Wei Zhongxian, Chen Derun was under your charge; is this how you managed him?”
“Do you not bear some responsibility for this incident?”
Their faces darkened; after all, Chen Derun had been under their tutelage, and they were indeed culpable.
“Your Majesty, I…”
“Enough! I have no patience to argue with you!” Chongzhen interrupted impatiently. “Execute Chen Derun tomorrow. Both of you will carry out the execution yourselves—fifty strokes each. If he dies a stroke early, I will make up the difference on your bodies. All expenses are yours to bear!”
“Dismissed!”
Having spoken, Chongzhen entered the warm chamber without allowing them to reply.
The two exchanged a grim glance, knelt respectfully toward the warm chamber, then rose and departed.
Inside the warm chamber, Chongzhen exhaled deeply, feeling a chill along his spine.
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If handled poorly, this matter could drive Wei Zhongxian to rebellion; the warning about inciting mutiny was no empty threat.
Wei Zhongxian was outwardly pleading for Tian Ergeng but was actually testing the emperor, seeing if he would show mercy.
And while Wei Zhongxian was testing him, the emperor was likewise testing Wei Zhongxian.
Especially ordering Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian to carry out the punishment themselves—not only was it a penalty but also a warning to others in the palace.
After a brief moment, Fang Zhenghua entered.
“Your Majesty, I struck heavily. These two men will be bedridden for at least a month and require three months to fully recover!”
“Well done!”
This was exactly what Chongzhen desired. Without these two commanding the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a month, he could accomplish much.
With the matter settled, it was now midnight. Chongzhen abandoned further plans for the sustainable development of the Ming dynasty and locked the plans in a golden chest within the warm chamber.
This golden chest was akin to a modern safe, nearly impossible to open silently without the proper method.
“Assign guards outside the warm chamber. Without my permission, no one may enter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Fang Zhenghua nodded to a disciple and then followed Chongzhen toward the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
Half an hour later, Chongzhen arrived at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, where Empress Zhou and Empress Dowager Yi’an awaited at the entrance.
“Your Majesty, I am Zhang Yan, paying respects.”
“Sister-in-law, we are family—there is no need for such formality.”
Chongzhen gestured, and after Zhang Yan’s bow, she rose.
Chongzhen was struck by her beauty—truly breathtaking. Even in a future age of the internet, having seen many Asian beauties and top stars, none compared to Zhang Yan.
Slender and graceful, her face like the goddess of mercy, eyes shimmering like autumn waves, lips like coral, nose delicate as a suspended gallbladder, pristine teeth—undoubtedly one of history’s five great beauties.
“Sister-in-law, last night’s incident was my oversight. I regret that you were frightened. I have punished the responsible parties. Such a thing will never happen again.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for standing up for me.”
Chongzhen waved his hand and continued, “Sister-in-law, today I wish to have a private conversation with you.”
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The next morning, Chongzhen rose at dawn, washed, and headed to the Meridian Gate.
By the time he arrived, the ministers of the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, and all officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital had gathered. The whispering ministers stiffened upon seeing the emperor.
After paying respects, Chongzhen said, “Esteemed ministers, you have all labored today. I will treat you to a spectacle!”
Amid the ministers’ confusion, two Embroidered Uniform Guards appeared, escorting Chen Derun.
“Wang Tiqian, Wei Zhongxian, begin!”
At the emperor’s summons, the two men stepped forward with grim faces.
“Your Majesty, have mercy! Have mercy!” Chen Derun shouted desperately at Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian, who bore knives.
“You wretched emperor, may you meet a terrible end!”
“Zhu Youjian, I await you below, you beast.”
...
Chongzhen’s face darkened with anger. “Wei Zhongxian, why do you hesitate?”
Wei Zhongxian, master of the Eastern Depot, was skilled in slow slicing. Stroke by stroke, Chen Derun’s harrowing screams echoed across the Meridian Gate plaza.
All who watched shivered, their hair standing on end.
After Wei Zhongxian’s fifty strokes, Chen Derun was force-fed ginseng soup and medicinal broth. Wang Tiqian then began. Half an hour later, both had completed their fifty strokes.
Fang Zhenghua stepped forward; with a flash of steel, Chen Derun’s head flew off, landing among the ministers.
“That’s enough—the show is over. Relax now and return to your duties!”
Chongzhen forced down his discomfort and turned away, leaving a crowd of bewildered, terrified, and outraged ministers behind.
This was a warning to palace eunuchs and maids, as well as a message to the ministers: I will execute ruthlessly.
Watching the emperor’s retreating back, the ministers wanted to shout, “Relax, my foot!”
“I remind you all not to pry too deeply, or you’ll meet death!”
Wei Zhongxian said grimly before turning to leave.
The ministers dispersed.
A quarter hour later, Chongzhen arrived at the Palace of Compassion and Celebration, where Empress Zhou and Empress Dowager Yi’an awaited.
“Your Majesty, Zhang Yan pays respects!”
“Sister-in-law, we are family—no need for such formalities.”
Chongzhen beckoned her with a gesture. After her bow, Zhang Yan stood.
Looking at Zhang Yan, Chongzhen was amazed by her beauty—truly unparalleled.
Slender and elegant, her face like the goddess of mercy, eyes like autumn waves, lips like coral, nose delicate, teeth white and fine—no wonder she was counted among history’s five great beauties.
“Sister-in-law, last night’s fright was my fault. I have punished those responsible. Such things will never happen again!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for standing up for me.”
Chongzhen waved and said, “Sister-in-law, today I wish to have a heart-to-heart talk with you.”