To leave the government office and head south, one had to pass through a wide alley. Ma Lu was leading the officials and hadn’t yet exited the alley when he heard the sound of horse hooves behind him.
He turned to look and saw twenty horses galloping toward them. The riders wore flying fish robes with embroidered spring sabers at their waists. The leader was none other than Wei Jiang, Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Wei Jiang reined in his horse before the crowd and said with a stern face, “Administration Commissioner, please halt.”
Seeing it was the Imperial Guard, Ma Lu assumed they were conveying the emperor’s personal decree and was about to dismount in obeisance. Unexpectedly, Shu Wenlan beside him raised a hand to stop him and said with a laugh, “How strange. This official recalls His Majesty has been at the military camp all day and hasn’t sent anyone with an imperial decree to the government office. Whose secret orders has Lord Wei received to privately obstruct officials in their duties?”
Wei Jiang didn’t answer, merely turned his face to glance at the commander behind him.
Receiving the order, the commander and the other eighteen Embroidered Uniform Guards formed two rows and spread out across the alley entrance.
In a moment, more horse hooves sounded from the end of the alley. A square-topped, black-bodied carriage stopped before the crowd. Liu Chaoming descended from the carriage and swept a glance at Shu Wenlan. “Investigating cases and arresting people is the business of the Three Judicial Offices. Has Vice Minister Shu grown tired of being Vice Minister of Rites and wants to serve in the Ministry of Justice?”
Ma Lu had failed to bow to Wei Jiang earlier. Now seeing even the Chief Minister had arrived, he hastily led several officials behind him to dismount in obeisance.
Shu Wenlan didn’t join in bowing. He merely kept his eyes fixed on the carriage until he saw Su Jin and Li Qiong descend together, then continued, “I wouldn’t dare presume to serve in the Ministry of Justice. I, Shu, have self-awareness. How would I dare show off my meager skills before Lord Liu and Lord Su, two of the foremost law enforcement ministers of our age? However—”
He smiled again. “Now that His Majesty is in Shu, yet a tragic case of commoners killing an official has occurred in Shu territory, this is great disrespect toward His Majesty. As imperial envoy, I merely reminded the Administration Commissioner to swiftly capture and bring the criminal to justice. This is loyalty to His Majesty and cannot be considered overstepping bounds. As for Lord Liu, since when do the Twelve Imperial Guards not answer to His Majesty but must heed the orders of you, the Regent Minister?”
His words bristled with hidden barbs. Between the lines, he not only pointed out the fact that Liu Yun had privately mobilized the Embroidered Uniform Guard but also implied that as a law enforcement minister acting beyond his authority and offending imperial dignity, his crime was compounded.
Liu Chaoming couldn’t be bothered to waste words with him and simply said, “Wei Jiang, escort all these officials back to the yamen. Before the case circumstances are clarified, no one may act without authorization.”
Wei Jiang cupped his hands in acknowledgment. “Yes!”
Li Qiong said, “Lord Ma, did you hear clearly? The cause of death of Pingchuan County Magistrate Yao Youcai has not yet been clarified. Without evidence in hand, you would lead so many people into the streets to arrest people—what if you disturb His Majesty or alarm the common people? Furthermore, Yao Youcai is involved in the Cuiwei Town mulberry field case. His death must be related to this case. The mulberry field case has long been taken over by our Imperial Censorate. How to handle it in the future, our Censorate will deal with fairly and justly. For you to rush into the streets arresting people without distinguishing right from wrong—do you not know that Lord Liu and Lord Zhai are both in Jinzhou Prefecture? Quickly withdraw your officials!”
Ma Lu was an indecisive sort who had held the position of Administration Commissioner for years while merely occupying his post without fulfilling his duties. Hearing Li Qiong’s words end with a threatening tone, he wanted nothing more than to immediately kowtow to Liu Chaoming in apology, then lead his officials to hide somewhere far away.
But before his knees could touch the ground, he heard Shu Wenlan say lightly, “Lord Ma, a court official died in your government office. For you to lead people to capture the culprit is not only natural and proper but also to give His Majesty an explanation. As for these people blocking you—no matter how much the Imperial Censorate can cover the sky with one hand, can it cover even His Majesty? After all, this realm belongs to His Majesty, just as the Imperial Guards are only His Majesty’s guards. If someone seizes His Majesty’s Imperial Guard, what crime that is, this official doesn’t know. But if someone attempts to seize His Majesty’s realm, attempts to usurp his position—that is treason, punishable by extermination of nine generations!”
He continued with a laugh, “Lord Ma, aren’t you afraid of being implicated?”
Shu Wenlan’s implication couldn’t be clearer. The Embroidered Uniform Guard obeying Lord Liu’s orders was an undeniable fact right before their eyes. Unauthorized mobilization of the Imperial Guard was tantamount to treason. If Ma Lu today heeded Liu Yun’s words and withdrew the officials, thereby delaying proper business, he might well be charged along with him.
Ma Lu had no judgment of his own. Caught in difficulty on both sides, he hesitated and was about to order the officials to go into the streets to arrest people.
Before the words left his mouth, he heard Liu Chaoming behind him say coldly, “Wei Jiang.”
“Present!”
“Anyone who dares leave this alley—kill without question.”
“Yes!”
The twenty Embroidered Uniform Guards dismounted and formed two rows at the alley entrance. In unison, they stepped forward, grasped their embroidered spring sabers, and with a ringing sound, drew their long blades.
Ma Lu was so frightened by this display that his legs went weak, and he finally truly collapsed to his knees.
Unable to advance or retreat, both sides could only face each other in stalemate.
Time passed minute by minute. The sun sank westward, and once again the sound of horses came from outside the alley.
This time two came together. Galloping ahead was Que Wu, Zhu Yushen’s personal guard. Following behind, slowly controlling the reins, was Shen Xi.
Que Wu approached Liu Chaoming, cupped his hands in salute, and said, “Chief Minister, His Majesty has heard of the case at Jinzhou government office and orders the Chief Minister to immediately go to the military camp for an imperial audience.” He turned back to Shu Wenlan. “Lord Shu is also requested to attend.”
The conflict here had occurred less than an hour ago. For Zhu Yushen to receive word so quickly—no need to guess who had tipped him off in advance.
Que Wu then approached Su Jin. “Lord Su, His Majesty also requests your presence.”
Having said this, he glanced back at the Embroidered Uniform Guards, his expression somewhat grim, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he instructed Ma Lu, “Withdraw all the officials.”
This time Ma Lu finally received an imperial command. Feeling heaven had opened its eyes, he kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude.
At this moment, several guards who had followed brought the carriages forward in preparation.
Shen Xi said to Su Jin, “You’ll ride with me.”
Su Jin nodded once and followed Shen Xi onto the carriage. Only after they set off did she ask, “Are His Majesty and the young prince safe?”
Shen Xi said, “Tian You personally led troops to escort Thirteen away. He sent word to Zuo Qian. Either Zuo Qian or Mao Zuofeng should leave the Northwest to meet him. However, with court affairs currently in chaos and the capital relocation besides, various factions competing endlessly—my thinking is that Thirteen should remain in the Northwest for these few years. As for Lin’er, you need not worry even more. Third Sister was waiting outside Jianmen Pass and has surely received him by now.”
Su Jin knew court affairs were chaotic—one need only look at Liu Yun and Shu Wenlan to see the tip of the iceberg.
Just as she was about to speak, Shen Xi continued, “I know what you want to ask.”
“Do you remember when we were both in the palace—why Zhu Yushen’s people always knew everything one step ahead?”
Su Jin said, “Because he used Shu Wenlan and mobilized the inner court servants whom ancestral law forbids from interfering in government. Shu Wenlan used these servants to establish a network. Any news from either the palace or the court would reach Zhu Yushen’s ears first.”
She reached this point and seemed to understand something. “You’re saying Liu Yun’s conflict with Shu Wenlan involves these inner court servants?”
Shen Xi said, “I’m not entirely clear on the specific causes and effects. Over these two years, I sent people to investigate and only learned that Wu Chang’s father was sworn brothers with Shu Wenlan’s father, former Secretariat Drafter Shu Huan.”
Su Jin was startled. “You mean Eunuch Wu’s father?”
“Yes. When the Great Ancestor raised his army, Wu Chang’s father even served as a minor military strategist. Had he lived to this day, he would have been counted among the founding heroes. However, before the capital was established in Yingtian Prefecture, for some unknown offense he angered Zhu Jingyuan, who ordered him castrated and made to serve as an inner court servant. Within a few years as a servant, he passed away. Wu Chang subsequently underwent castration and entered the palace, eventually becoming the chief steward of Fengtian Hall. I’m told that privately, Wu Chang still uses the old form of address and calls Shu Wenlan ‘young master.'”
Su Jin said, “I know Shu Wenlan has always maintained contact with eunuchs. When I served as Minister of Justice years ago, I grew suspicious of Shu Wenlan and had people investigate privately. I only remember that ten years ago, a group of eunuchs and palace maids died in the plum garden outside the front palace, seemingly having some unclear connection to him. But before I could uncover the truth, the mission to Annan intervened.”
Shen Xi said, “Wu Chang and his father were once ambitious men. When Zhu Yushen seized power, this Eunuch Wu contributed considerably from beginning to end. When Zhu Yushen was nineteen and campaigned to the northern frontier, Shu Wenlan had already begun weaving a secret network among the eunuchs, helping him gather palace intelligence.”
Zhu Yushen’s planning over more than a decade—his ability to proceed so meticulously at every step was inseparable from the contributions of these eunuchs.
Su Jin said, “But what does this have to do with Liu Yun?”
“Originally it had nothing to do with him,” Shen Xi said. “But Shu Wenlan’s ambitions don’t stop there. He… wants to establish eunuchs as officials.”
Su Jin said in astonishment, “When the Great Ancestor founded the dynasty, he established the ancestral law ‘inner court servants shall not interfere in government’ precisely to prevent eunuch disasters. Aren’t there enough historical examples of kingdoms destroyed by eunuchs? Zhao Gao of Qin, the Ten Attendants of Han, during the Tang Xianzong period, there was even Ju Wenzhen forcing the emperor to abdicate and Wang Shoucheng regicide. Eunuch disasters most easily shake a nation’s foundation. Isn’t Shu Wenlan’s plan utter folly?”
Shen Xi said, “But you must not forget—emperors throughout history have all been suspicious. When Zhu Jingyuan initially founded the dynasty and established the Imperial Guard, among them the Embroidered Uniform Guard covered the sky with one hand, establishing the imperial prison that could execute all officials—in essence, how was this different from eunuchs who answer only to the emperor? Now that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has declined, Zhu Yushen naturally needs to support others as his eyes and ears who answer only to him. From this perspective, eunuchs confined to the palace for life are actually a viable choice.
“Taking a step back, even when Thirteen was on the throne, didn’t he likewise vigorously elevate the Golden Guard’s status, allowing them to act above other Imperial Guards and even the Five Military Commissions? If Thirteen had successfully returned to the palace from the Northwest that year, would today’s Golden Guard be any different from the Embroidered Uniform Guard during the Great Ancestor’s reign?”
Su Jin said, “So Shu Wenlan doesn’t simply want to establish eunuchs as officials—he wants to establish an institution that can accommodate these eunuchs, making them the emperor’s eyes and ears for Zhu Yushen’s use?”
“Yes.” Shen Xi nodded. “He proposed establishing the Directorate and setting up twenty-four eunuch bureaus.” (Note)
“Actually, the current court already has eunuchs serving in official positions. One of them is the servant Ma Zhao who managed affairs in Weiyang Palace when you were unconscious there.”
“This Ma Zhao understands celestial phenomena, knows how to identify stars and determine positions, and is deeply versed in maritime arts and shipbuilding techniques. Over the past year, he has mostly remained in the Ministry of Works. I hear the people at the Ministry all respect him.”
Su Jin said, “Zhu Yushen values talent and ability without being constrained by etiquette. Placing a eunuch in the Ministry of Works is something he would do.” She asked, “What do you think of this matter?”
“Me?” Shen Xi laughed. “Within imperial power, when the enemy is strong, we are weak—one rises as the other falls. Zhu Yushen is ruthless and cunning, profoundly reserved, far-sighted, and full of determination. Though I hate to admit it, he truly possesses rare imperial talent. Whether he wants to establish the Embroidered Uniform Guard as his eyes and ears, or establish eunuchs as his eyes and ears, or even establish a meritorious prince, general, or minister as a trusted confidant—in the end, none surpasses him.”
“As long as power remains in the emperor’s hands, as long as the emperor is clear-minded and doesn’t casually believe slanderous words, the word ‘eunuch’ cannot cause disaster.”
“The fear is only for the future.”
Su Jin said, “Yes, the fear is only for the future. Though the Yongji reign may be without fault, what about after Zhu Yushen? Will the next emperor be equally capable of independent judgment? Changing the law to establish eunuchs as officials, interfering in government affairs—this changes ancestral law. Future generations for hundreds of years will inevitably be affected. Is Liu Yun… competing endlessly with Shu Wenlan precisely because of this?”
Shen Xi said, “Zhu Yushen greatly trusts Liu Yun, not to mention he is both Regent and Chief Minister. Establishing eunuchs as officials, establishing the Directorate—Shu Wenlan only mentioned it once during a cabinet meeting before Liu Yun stopped him with the two words ‘disaster for the nation.’ He had long seen through Shu Wenlan’s intentions, so his attitude is very clear—as long as he, Liu Yun, remains in court for one day, Shu Wenlan can forget about establishing eunuchs as officials.”
“Shu Wenlan harbors resentment. When Zhu Yushen succeeded to the throne, both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the eunuchs contributed indispensably. Why should the Embroidered Uniform Guard return to the Imperial Guard while the eunuch network he painstakingly built over so many years remains as lowly in status as before?”
“It is precisely for all these reasons that Shu Wenlan is desperately trying to obtain evidence against Liu Yun, thereby replacing him.”
“After all, only when he becomes Chief Minister can he suppress dissenting voices and fulfill his cherished ambition.”
Su Jin originally wanted to say the cabinet didn’t consist of Shu Wenlan alone. Even if he possessed great talent and had rendered great service to Zhu Yushen’s accession, below Liu Yun there was Shen Xi holding first-rank ministerial position, Qian Yueqian serving as Minister of Justice, and even including Zhu Yiheng—whose political achievements weren’t more outstanding than his?
But on second thought, Zhu Yiheng was imperial clan and couldn’t possibly rise to Chief Minister. Qian Yueqian was Zhu Yiheng’s man—ultimately there was a degree of separation. As for Shen Xi—though Shen Xi possessed great ability, he held multiple positions. As minister and Minister of Revenue that was one thing, but he was also a first-rank Duke and National Uncle. Without being Chief Minister, he could already stand as Liu Chaoming’s equal. If he became Chief Minister, truly no one could balance him.
Su Jin pondered for a moment and asked, “Today Liu Yun mobilized the Imperial Guard before so many people. Que Wu and the officials and guards of Jinzhou Prefecture all saw it. It can no longer be concealed from Zhu Yushen and the entire court. Yet he told me he won’t come to harm. Could it be that Zhu Yushen truly won’t prosecute him?”
Shen Xi laughed. “How could he not prosecute? His ‘won’t come to harm’ means he won’t die for the time being.”
Saying this, his expression grew somber. “How Zhu Yushen will deal with him, I also don’t know. Let’s wait and see. He definitely can’t continue as Chief Minister and Regent. The Imperial Censorate… he’ll probably be demoted to fourth-rank Assistant Censor or perhaps seventh-rank Investigating Censor.”