Tyrant of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 7 Inviting the Ministers to Watch a Play

"Tian Ergeng, commander of the Imperial Guard, was demoted to deputy commander for negligence. Xu Xianchun, assistant commander, was demoted to garrison commander for dereliction of duty!"

"Furthermore, twenty strokes of the cane and a one-year salary deduction."

"Wei Zhongxian, are you satisfied with this outcome?"

Wei Zhongxian remained silent for a few moments, then kowtowed: "Even the thunder and rain are a sign of Your Majesty's grace!"

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your divine favor!"

Kneeling, Tian Ergeng and Xu Xianchun were overjoyed. They had thought this matter might lead to beheading, but now it was only demotion and the 20th Army. The Imperial Guard were all their own people; the 20th Army was just a formality.

Demotion is no big deal; the Imperial Guards have many trusted confidants. If the Emperor dares to appoint a new commander, they have plenty of ways to kill him. The position must be held by one of their own.

As for a year's salary deduction, that's nothing.

Before the two could even finish their smug congratulations, they heard the Emperor say, "Fang Zhenghua, you will fight him yourself!"

Instantly, both men were stunned, their faces stiffening.

Today, Fang Zhenghua had single-handedly fought a hundred-household garrison soldier in the capital camp, 'killing' more than sixty men. His divine might had spread throughout the capital camp, the Imperial Guards, and the court officials.

He was a genuine warrior. After twenty soldiers, even with their years of martial arts training, they'd probably be bedridden for a month.

"My lords, shall I drag him away by hand, or shall you two order him to leave?"

Tian Ergeng and Xu Xianchun remained silent, walking towards the back. A moment later, their screams of agony were heard.

Hearing the screams, Chongzhen looked again at Wei Zhongxian and Wang Qian.

"Wang Qian, you are the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, overseeing all twenty-four departments. Is this how you oversee them?"

"Wei Zhongxian, Chen Derun is someone you trained. Is this how you usually train him?"

"In this incident, are you two without fault?"

The two men's expressions changed. After all, Chen Derun was someone they had trained; they also bore responsibility.

“Your Majesty, your subject…” “Enough! I’m too lazy to argue with you!”

Emperor Chongzhen impatiently interrupted the two, continuing, “Tomorrow, execute Chen Derun. You two will personally, each of you, cut Chen Derun fifty times. For every blow he delivers before he dies, I will finish him off with one of yours. You will bear all the costs yourself!”

“Leave!”

After speaking, Chongzhen went straight into the warm pavilion, not giving the two a chance to object.

The two exchanged a glance, their faces grim, bowed once towards the warm pavilion, and left.

Once inside the warm pavilion, Chongzhen let out a long sigh, a chill running down his spine.

If this matter wasn’t handled properly, Wei Zhongxian could rebel; the threat of “potentially causing turmoil” was no joke.

Wei Zhongxian ostensibly pleaded for Tian Ergeng, but in reality, he was testing him to see if he would give him face.

Wei Zhongxian was testing him, but wasn't he also testing Wei Zhongxian?

Especially by having Wei Zhongxian and Wang Qian personally carry out the punishment, it served both as punishment for the two and as a deterrent to the others in the palace.

After a short while, Fang Zhenghua entered: "Your Majesty, I used extremely heavy force. These two will be bedridden for at least a month, and it will take at least three months to fully recover!"

"Well done!"

This was exactly what Chongzhen wanted. In a month, without these two personally commanding the Imperial Guards, he could have accomplished much more.

After this incident, it was already past midnight, and Emperor Chongzhen no longer bothered to finalize the plan for the sustainable development of the Ming Dynasty. He locked the plan away in the golden vault of the Warm Pavilion.

This vault was similar to a safe in later times; without the correct method, opening it silently was extremely difficult.

"Arrange for people to guard outside the Warm Pavilion. No one is allowed to enter without my permission!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Fang Zhenghua nodded to one of his disciples, then followed Chongzhen towards the Kunning Palace.

Half an hour later, Chongzhen entered the Kunning Palace and encountered Empress Zhou, who had just returned from the Cining Palace. Empress Zhou immediately bowed, but Chongzhen stopped her.

After Chongzhen sat down, Zhou Yu stood behind him and gently stroked his arm, making him feel comfortable.

"My son, how is my sister-in-law?"

"Your Majesty, my sister-in-law was frightened. I just talked with her for a while. I arranged for guards to watch over her when I left. She should be asleep by now!"

"Thank you for your hard work, my son. It's getting late, let's rest early too!"

After saying this, Chongzhen stood up and led Zhou Yu towards the couch.

The next morning, Chongzhen slept until noon before getting up. After washing up, he headed towards the Meridian Gate.

When he arrived at the Meridian Gate, all the ministers of the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers, as well as officials of the fourth rank and above from the capital, were already there. The ministers, who had been whispering amongst themselves, immediately became serious upon seeing the emperor.

After the audience, Emperor Chongzhen said, "My lords, you are all tired today. I invite you to watch a show!"

Amidst the ministers' suspicions, two imperial guards escorted Chen Derun forward.

"Wang Qian, Wei Zhongxian, begin!"

Seeing the emperor call their names, the two men stepped forward with grim faces.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Spare me!"

Seeing Wei Zhongxian and the other man approaching with knives, Chen Derun screamed desperately.

"You dog emperor, you'll die a horrible death!"

"Zhu Youjian, I'll be waiting for you down there, you beast!"

...Emperor Chongzhen's face darkened, and he roared, "Wei Zhongxian, why aren't you finishing?"

Wei Zhongxian controlled the Eastern Depot, so he naturally knew how to execute Chen Derun by slow slicing. One slice after another, Chen Derun's agonizing screams echoed throughout the Meridian Gate Square.

All the onlookers, hearing the screams, felt their scalps tingle and trembled.

After Wei Zhongxian's fifty slices, he ordered ginseng soup and medicinal broth to be forced down Chen Derun's throat. Wang Qian then began, and half an hour later, their fifty slices were finished.

Fang Zhenghua stepped forward, and everyone saw only a flash of cold light before Chen Derun's head flew off, landing among the ranks of the ministers.

"Alright, the show's over. Everyone can relax now. Go about your business!"

Emperor Chongzhen said, forcing himself to speak, before turning and leaving, leaving behind a group of bewildered, terrified, and furious ministers.

This was a warning to the palace eunuchs and officials, and also a message to the ministers: I can kill.

Watching Chongzhen's departing figure, the ministers could only curse: Relax my ass!

"This Grand Commander reminds you all, don't inquire, it could kill you!"

Wei Zhongxian said grimly before turning and leaving as well.

The ministers dispersed one after another.

A quarter of an hour later, Chongzhen arrived at Cining Palace, where Empress Zhou and Empress Yi'an were already waiting at the entrance.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhang Yan, pay my respects!"

"Sister-in-law, we're all family, no need for such formalities."

Emperor Chongzhen immediately gestured, and Zhang Yan bowed and stood up.

Looking at Zhang Yan, Chongzhen was also stunned. She was truly stunning. In this internet age, he had seen countless Miss Asia contestants and A-list celebrities, but compared to Zhang Yan, they were utterly insignificant.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful, her face like that of Guanyin, her eyes like autumn waves, her lips like cherry blossoms, her nose like a hanging gall, and her teeth white and fine. No wonder she was one of the five most beautiful empresses in history.

"Sister-in-law, what happened last night was my oversight, and I'm sorry to have frightened you. I have punished those responsible, and this will never happen again!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for upholding justice for me!"

Chongzhen waved his hand and continued, "Sister-in-law, I wish to have a heart-to-heart talk with you today!"