Chapter 599
Adding to the Fun
Inside the three courtyards of Yingfangsi, pigeons perched under more than ten old locust trees, pecking at the corn kernels on the ground.
The black serpent, draped in a black cloak, hurried through the shade of the trees, startling pigeons that fluttered into the sky beside him.
He arrived at the main hall in the backyard and saw Wu Xiu sitting behind the desk, reciting imperial edicts in red ink, with a tall stack of documents already piled up on his left.
Changxiu stood to the side, her hands tucked into her sleeves, her eyelids drooping as if she were dozing off.
Hearing footsteps, he lazily opened his eyes, cupped his hands to the black snake, but didn't even take his hands out of his sleeves. He just stretched his arms forward as a greeting, and then closed his eyes again.
Xuan She stepped into the main hall and bowed to Wu Xiu, saying, "My lord, I have something to report."
Wu Xiu did not reply, but only looked at the draft vote in front of her.
He held the vermilion pen in his hand, the tip hovering three inches above the draft, hesitant to bring it down.
The draft document was for the grain and salary allocated by the Ministry of Revenue to the Guyuan border army. The Guyuan border army reported 310,000 taels, while the Ministry of Revenue approved 180,000 taels, a difference of 130,000 taels.
This was the case in previous years as well. The border troops reported more, but the Ministry of Revenue verified less, and in the end, they took the middle number so that both sides could be satisfied.
However, Guyuan just finished fighting a war this year, and there are real shortages of military equipment, winter clothing, and medicinal materials.
Wu Xiu opened the memorial and read through the list submitted by the border army again. The list was meticulously detailed and reasonable: 6,200 cotton-padded coats, each costing 1.2 taels of silver; 6,200 cotton-padded trousers, each costing 8 taels of silver; 3,000 taels of silver for medicinal herbs; 5,000 taels of silver for repairing military equipment; and 12,000 taels of silver for the pensions of fallen soldiers… Not a single expense was unnecessary.
The imperial court was short of money.
Only by sitting in this position can one realize that this vast territory is like a pair of cotton trousers that leak everywhere, needing mending in every way. But after mending one side, another tear appears there, and there's always a piece of cloth missing.
Wu Xiu did not rush to write, but simply put the memorial aside.
He then picked up another draft document, submitted by the Ministry of Personnel, concerning the filling of the vacancy for the position of Supervising Censor of Henan Circuit.
The cabinet nominated two candidates: Zhou Quan, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, and Li Duan, a principal officer in the Ministry of War. Zhou Quan was a protégé of Grand Secretary Qi, and Li Duan was someone Zhang Zhuo had recommended.
The fact that Zhang Zhuo's nominees were included in the cabinet's draft list is a sign of respect, indicating that Zhang Zhuo has firmly established himself within the cabinet.
But putting Zhou Quan first makes the meaning clear: although the Qi family lost a Left Censor-in-Chief, Grand Secretary Qi is still here, his disciples are still here, and the roots of the Qingliu faction are still here.
Wu Xiu's pen paused on Zhou Quan's name, but did not move.
He suddenly said, "Now I understand why the Grand Secretary said earlier that as one gets older, the knife will only become lighter, but the pen will become heavier..."
He set that aside and looked up at the long-waiting Black Serpent: "What is it?"
Xuan She bowed and said, "My lord, Jiao Tu and Yun Yang are currently ransacking the home of Ye Yan, the Director of the Ceremonial Department of the Ministry of Rites. The officials of the Ministry of Rites are making a ruckus, saying they want to go to the palace to see the Emperor and accuse our Directorate of Ceremonial of disregarding the law and using private punishment. The censors should also know about this matter, and the commotion will not be small."
Wu Xiu raised an eyebrow and looked at Chang Xiu: "Why are you raiding another house? Didn't you just raid one yesterday?"
Changxiu opened her eyes and said, "My lord, regarding what just happened, I came in to report this matter as well, but I didn't disturb you because you were making imperial comments. Yesterday, the Li family tampered with the imperial medicines, using inferior ingredients and shortchanging the quantity. Today, Ye Yan, the Director of the Ceremonial Department of the Ministry of Rites, demanded bribes and deliberately made things difficult for the imperial physicians during their examination at the Imperial Medical Academy. As a result, twelve imperial physicians were dismissed, including Zhang Wenqing, a master of pulse diagnosis. The head of the Imperial Medical Academy brought Chen Ji's note, and Jiao Tu and Yun Yang went there as soon as they saw it."
Wu Xiu scoffed, "Such clever tricks. Trying to stall for time, hoping that by the time I finish my imperial edicts, the Ye family's property will have been confiscated."
Changxiu said shyly, "Your Excellency saw through me."
Xuan She said in a deep voice, "My lord, Jiao Tu and Yun Yang are acting recklessly. They didn't even consult you before doing this, but instead obeyed Chen Ji. What kind of behavior is this? Besides, the Imperial Household Department's Admiral is your man. How can Chen Ji touch him? I think the two of them should be demoted to gyrfalcons, and Chen Ji should be exiled to Lingnan."
After hearing this, Wu Xiu suddenly laughed: "Lord Xuanshe, whose person are you?"
Xuan She respectfully replied, "Naturally, I am your person, sir."
Wu Xiu closed the draft in his hand, got up and walked outside, finally stopping at the threshold. Sunlight streamed in from outside, making his black python robe gleam.
With his back to the black serpent, he looked at the pigeons that had fallen back to the ground in the courtyard and slowly said, "You are not one of my people. Remember, whether it is the Secret Service or the Anti-Trouble Guard, whether it is the Imperial Household Department or the Palace Guard, they are all His Majesty's people in the final analysis. Therefore, when you and I do things, we can only have one stance, and that is His Majesty's stance."
He paused, then slowed his voice: "Over the years, I've risen from a lowly woodcutter in the Firewood Bureau to the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs. It's not because I, Wu Xiu, am particularly clever, but because I only did this one thing right."
The black snake stood frozen in place.
Wu Xiu said with a smile, "The adopted son of the Director of the Imperial Household Department tampered with the medicine His Majesty used, he deserves to die. Ye Yan tampered with the imperial physicians who treated His Majesty, he also deserves to die. Chen Ji is smarter than you in this respect. He knows that even if he confiscates all these people's property, those who hate him will at most try to make amends afterward, but they won't dare to touch him now. As for me, I just regret that these people who are confiscated don't have much money, enough to make up for the court's deficit."
Changxiu whispered in admiration, "Doing the right thing is just cleverness, but choosing the right side is true wisdom. No wonder Lord Wu Xiu can wear a python robe and hold the position of Chief Minister."
Wu Xiu turned to look at him, a half-smile on her face: "With such a talent for flattery, it's no wonder the Prime Minister likes you."
Changxiu smiled shyly: "You flatter me, sir."
Wu Xiu walked back behind the desk and patted Xuan She on the shoulder as he passed by: "War requires money, repairing the Cining Palace requires money, and national affairs and people's livelihoods all require money. If I were you, what I should be thinking about most right now is how our Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs should confiscate all the properties of the eight major merchants. That's what we 'eunuch faction' should be doing."
Xuan She bowed even lower: "Yes, Your Excellency, I will go back and think of a solution... By the way, sir, I received a secret report from my subordinates that a carriage, after leaving Anding Gate, did not go to Changping, but instead turned around and headed south. The travel permit says it is heading to Luocheng. The driver is a burly man." (The Inner Minister's carriage.)
Wu Xiu stared at the black snake for a moment and then said, "Well done. Continue to send people to keep an eye on it, but don't get too close."
The black serpent came in haste and left in haste.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Wu Xiu tapped her fingers on the table: "Going to Luocheng at this hour..."
Changxiu asked in a low voice, "Does Your Excellency also wish to go?"
Wu Xiu said calmly, "I do want to leave the capital and travel, but it's not the right time yet... What do you think Chen Ji is trying to do by confiscating these two houses? Is he really trying to stand up for the Imperial Hospital, or does he have other motives?"
After a moment's thought, Changxiu said sincerely, "My lord, it's not that I intend to speak well of him, but that Lord Chen still has the heart of a child, that's all."
Wu Xiu sighed and rubbed his temples. "The most important thing right now is still the Morning Post. The Director of the Imperial Household Department has printed it, but it won't sell. Nobody wants the two pages about governing the country and benefiting the people. The rest of the pages are all about singing praises and good omens from all over the country. The people don't like reading that. His Majesty was furious after reading the Morning Post today. If we don't handle this well, even I will be in trouble... I'm leaving this to you. How to handle it well is your responsibility from now on."
Changxiu did not refuse this hot potato, but instead asked, "Does Your Excellency intend to continue publishing the 'Establishing the State and Benefiting the People' editions?"
Wu Xiu shook his head: "More than that. Chen Ji knows this morning newspaper best. I need to know if there are any better uses for it."
Changxiu laughed: "Alright. However, my style of doing things is different from others, so I'm afraid I'll have to ask you for two people to use, otherwise it won't show your sincerity."
Wu Xiu turned and stared at Chang Xiu: "Use it. Go tell Chen Ji that I am not a petty person. We are all working for His Majesty. As long as he is useful, everything is negotiable. He should not be worried about me, but about the Qi family."
……
……
At Shen Shi (3-5 PM), the Imperial Hospital was busier than usual.
The imperial physician led the imperial doctors through the gate, and several minor officials who were decocting medicine in the courtyard looked up and stopped fanning themselves.
Some people had silver in their pockets, while others had calligraphy and paintings tucked under their arms. These were all things they had given to Ye Yan earlier, which were returned to Ye Yan on the spot when Jiao Tu raided the house.
Leading the way was Zhou Fangping, carrying a bulging cloth bag in his arms, walking with a brisk pace.
Behind him followed Imperial Physician Ren, who carried a scroll of calligraphy and painting wrapped in silk under his arm, his hands tightly protecting it as if afraid of bumping or damaging it.
Next was Clerk Liu, who was empty-handed, but his mouth was busy gesturing to the person next to him, spitting as he spoke.
The people in the courtyard swarmed around it.
"Copied?"
"Copy it!"
"Where is that bastard Ye Yan?"
"They've been taken away, personally escorted by Jiao Tu, who said they're going to send them to the inner prison. Not only were they confiscated, but Jiao Tu also returned on the spot everything we've given to Ye Yan over the years!"
At this moment, someone looked at the abbot and found that his face was solemn.
The head physician of the Imperial Hospital, who remained at the hospital, asked in bewilderment, "Sir, why do you look so worried? Could it be that the calligraphy and painting you gave to Ye Yan is gone?"
The Imperial Physician shook his head and sighed, "I'm wondering if anyone might try to harm him now that he's offended so many people for the sake of the Imperial Medical Academy. First it was the eunuch faction, and now it's the Ministry of Rites. Those people are not easy to mess with."
The Chancellor?
It took the judge a while to realize that the other party was referring to Chen Ji: "It seems that you are in a good mood, sir, and even have the mind to joke."
No sooner had the words been spoken than footsteps were heard outside the Imperial Hospital. Everyone turned around and saw a little eunuch with a smile like a little fox standing outside the door with his hands clasped together, followed by a group of Jie Fan Guards.
The imperial physicians were on high alert: "Who are you?"
Changxiu smiled and said, "I am Changxiu, commander of Jiefan Guard. I have come to see Lord Chen Ji."
The abbot frowned: "What do you want with him? If you have something to say, take it out on us..."
Changxiu quickly smiled and said, "No, no, please don't misunderstand, I'm here to deliver a gift to Lord Chen."
After saying this, he clapped his hands, and Jie Fanwei escorted the two disheveled men into the Imperial Hospital.
The abbot hesitated: "This is..."
Changxiu explained earnestly, "One was Wang Zhan, the supervisor of the Imperial Palace, and the other was Wang Kui, the chief clerk of the Imperial Palace. These two had been conspiring to steal medicinal materials from the Imperial Pharmacy. I arrested them as well, to add to Lord Chen's merriment." (End of Chapter)