Chapter 602: 441
The fourth year of Emperor Tianshun.
Summer.
Lu Shangshu was found privately hoarding a dragon robe, armor, and bombs, suspected of plotting a rebellion.
The first two allegations were framed by the Eastern Depot, but the latter was indeed solid evidence, leaving even the literary and military Officials with nothing to say.
Emperor Tianshun personally endorsed an immediate execution, choosing a date for the sentence to be carried out.
Tang Mingyuan knelt outside the palace gate for two days and two nights, until he fainted, unable to gain an audience with His Majesty.
...
The twenty-third day of the third month of Spring.
In the middle of a scorching summer, the sun blazed fiercely.
A long line of prisoners knelt at Caishikou, wearing fugitive placards on their backs, with executioners standing by their side.
The endless wailing was incessant, and those with less courage couldn’t help but scream for mercy and even curse and insult Lu Shangshu, attempting to get the attention of the Eastern Depot.
On the contrary, it was the younger grandchildren among the accused who knelt, looking around left and right, their eyes wide and blinking, not understanding what game was being played.
The execution site was surrounded by crowds of onlookers, waiting to watch the beheadings as if it were entertainment, occasionally throwing rotten vegetables and stinking eggs.
“Behead them, quickly behead!”
“His Majesty is a benevolent ruler, daring to plot a rebellion, they deserve to be exterminated, the Nine Clans!”
“The Eastern Depot has really done some good this time, if the Lu family had managed to rebel, our good days would have been over.”
“Mind your words!”
“Are we not allowed to praise the Eastern Depot now?”
“You cannot even mention those two words, it’s taboo…”
This was certainly not a group staged by the Eastern Depot, but the common folk genuinely supporting Emperor Tianshun, deeply disgusted by Lu’s family’s attempt at rebellion.
Emperor Tianshun set the precedent in the National Dynasty by adopting eunuchs as his sons.
Eunuchs taking office in the six ministries was also unprecedented.
Such actions, if taken by any other emperor, would have been denounced by the Imperial Court and the public as the actions of a foolish ruler, yet Emperor Tianshun had become a universally acclaimed sovereign.
This was because the Imperial Palace eunuchs Zhou Yi monitored the Officials, while Tang Mingyuan oversaw the National Dynasty’s reforms.
The common folk felt the tangible benefits and thus, His Majesty’s favoritism towards eunuchs or indulgence in pleasures was no longer regarded as a major issue.
Therefore, when the Lu family was charged with treason and the Nine Clans were condemned, the people cheered and clapped their hands in approval.
As for whether Lu Shangshu supported the reforms, the people knew nothing and were too lazy to inquire; they simply cheered at the beheading of a high official.
In the crowd.
Zhou Yi, with beard on his chin and lips, was wearing the ramie clothes favored by wealthy countryside elders, scanning the area until he finally spotted an acquaintance in a corner.
Using the Roaming Dragon Technique, he deftly weaved through the crowd, arriving at the southeast corner.
Guards disguised as commoners noticed something off, with four or five of them forming a line to stop Zhou Yi from getting close to Chancellor Tang.
Zhou Yi, with hands tucked away, said with a grin, “I’m an old acquaintance of Chancellor Tang.”
Upon hearing the term “I,” the guards’ expressions subtly changed.
Tang Mingyuan, wearing a dark hat, scrutinized Zhou Yi carefully, expressing surprise, “To think it’s Supervisor Zhou himself. This attire certainly does not carry the same presence as a python robe.”
“Chancellor Tang might not be aware, but I grew up in poverty, and never even had a full meal.”
Zhou Yi, as nimble as a fish, easily broke through the guards’ defense and stood beside Tang Mingyuan, reminiscing.
“Back then, my father farmed for the wealthy village elder Sun, envying the clothes he wore, dreaming that one day I might own such an attire, and now it seems my dream has come true.”
Tang Mingyuan admired, “Supervisor Zhou, from a country lad to the present day, wielding power over the entire court, you indeed stand as a great figure of this age!”
“You flatter me, you flatter me.”
Zhou Yi counterpraised, “Chancellor Tang became part of the cabinet as a son-in-law, the history books might even record you as the first son-in-law of ancient and modern times!”
As the two men exchanged banter, the time approached the ninth hour.
The official overseeing the execution was the Vice Minister of Justice from the Ministry of Punishment, who also supported the reforms and was quite close to Lu Shangshu. He ordered the soldiers to serve all the prisoners strong liquor.
This was a distilled spirit invented by Chancellor Tang, initially declared to cost a measure of gold for a measure of the liquor; even though its price had decreased since then, it was still unaffordable for ordinary rich households.
The convicts guzzled down the strong liquor bowl after bowl, soon becoming dizzy and drunk.
Vice Minister of Justice threw down the Token, “Carry out the execution!”
The executioner sprayed alcohol onto his large guillotine-like blade, swung it in a full circle with all his might, and with a crunch, decapitated the head.
The severed head rolled a dozen feet away as blood gushed out of the neck.
“Well done!”
The public, seeing the executioner’s swift action, couldn’t help but erupt in applause, as if watching a street performer displaying his skills.
Tang Mingyuan clenched his fists tight, his eyes red with suppressed fury beneath his hat, biting his lip to hold back his sorrow.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…”
Zhou Yi spoke wistfully, “I really don’t understand, it makes sense for the people to curse the Eastern Depot, but why curse Lu Shangshu? He’s truly a good man devoted to the people.”
“Such foolishness in the people. I’m relieved I never played the good man, or else I might have died of frustration!”
Tang Mingyuan turned his head away, unwilling to watch the execution any longer, his voice tinged with a hint of coldness and resentment, “Supervisor, this is what you wanted to see, isn’t it?”
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“You jest, Chancellor Tang.”
Zhou Yi did not deny nor confirm, “I’ve done no wrong to the Lu family; I merely witnessed the actions of the Marquis of Enze and did not intervene.”
“I am the Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, universally reviled as a castrated dog. Not getting involved is already a good deed!”
“What does Your Excellency truly wish to accomplish?”
Tang Mingyuan suppressed the rage in his heart, knowing that the root of it all lay with Emperor Tianshun, with Zhou merely taking advantage of the situation.
Zhou Yi looked up towards the imperial palace and muttered to himself, “I have a dream…”
Tang Mingyuan’s eyebrows twitched, almost asking whether the exceptional stays the same in the face of surprise.
Zhou Yi did not continue, for his dream was too shocking and unconventional. He changed the subject, “Does Chancellor Tang wish to know why I came to find you today?”
Tang Mingyuan replied, “In this world, the only thing that can move me is reform. So, has there been a hitch with the new policies?”
“It’s clear speaking to a wise man.”
Zhou Yi pulled a stack of papers from his sleeve, densely packed with names.
“Minister Lu has been sentenced to the execution of the Nine Clans, frightening many. These officials are secretly pledging allegiance to the Six Ministries, ready to bite back at Chancellor Tang at any moment.”
Tang Mingyuan took the list and saw many familiar names.
“Song Jiamao, whom I regard as a disciple, one to pass on the mantle… Wang Su, a friend though of different years… Shen Geng, a good friend…”
“Their contributions were indispensable to the implementation of the new policies.”
Tang Mingyuan said sternly, “Your Excellency, the art of sowing discord and setting traps is infamous at the Imperial Court, but it will not work with me!”
“Chancellor Tang misunderstands me.”
Zhou Yi responded, “Every time the Eastern Depot fabricates charges and sets traps, it is with just cause. Those corrupt officials, even if they were tried according to the laws of the National Dynasty, would still face the execution of the Nine Clans!”
To prevent corrupt officials from causing harm to the state, the Great Founding Ancestor decreed that embezzlement over ten thousand taels merits the extermination of three clans, over a hundred thousand, the Nine Clans.
Now, officialdom is rife with embezzlement, and though the laws still stand, they are no longer enforced.
So, relying solely on the crime of embezzlement, it’s difficult to sentence someone to the execution of the Nine Clans according to the law. It must be arranged by the Eastern Depot to plant imperial robes and armor in the corrupt officials’ homes.
Tang Mingyuan couldn’t help but retort sarcastically, “So, I should be grateful to Your Excellency for fighting corruption on behalf of the Imperial Court?”
“It is the Eastern Depot’s duty; there is no need for Chancellor Tang’s praise.”
With layers of profound true qi shielding him, Zhou Yi was indifferent to the thinly veiled sarcasm and continued, “This list I have here has solid evidence for each and every name, which Chancellor Tang is free to verify.”
Tang Mingyuan was silent for a long time before stuffing the list into his sleeve with a sigh.
“They are all top scholars, well-versed in the principles of home and country, ideals and aspirations. They all loudly curse eunuchs ordinarily, only to now seek refuge with palace servants.”
Zhou Yi pointed towards the blood-soaked execution ground and said, “Between life and death lies great terror. The Lu family’s case is right before our eyes. To fight for survival, who can care for courtesy, justice, integrity, and shame.”
Tang Mingyuan remarked, “So seeking benevolence and righteousness are just empty words?”
“Heh heh heh…”
Zhou Yi laughed eerily and said, “I am not well-read and don’t understand lofty principles, but I do understand human nature!”
“People spend over a decade studying, striving hard to pass exams, then exhaust themselves climbing the ranks, making efforts a thousand times harder than ordinary people.”
“Finally reaching high positions, why should they sacrifice their lives for the common folk?”
“If it were me, I’d focus on making money and enjoying life first!”
“Previously, when His Majesty favored you, everyone followed you, chanting slogans, rode on the new policies for merits and promotions. Now that His Majesty has other considerations, they immediately turn their guns around!”
Having been an official for several years, Tang Mingyuan had seen many oddities in the bureaucracy and understood that what Zhou Yi spoke of was the plain truth, unchanging in the past, present, or future.
“Your Excellency says so much, but what exactly do you want to do?”
Zhou Yi replied, “I merely wish to tell Chancellor Tang that relying on others’ charity won’t do, some things must be held in your own hands!”
Tang Mingyuan’s mind raced, and he began to suspect what was meant, his eyes flickering with struggle.
On one hand was the debt of gratitude to a friend; on the other, ideals for the people’s welfare, too difficult to choose between at the moment.
Suddenly looking up, he saw the executioner raising the blade to behead Minister Lu’s grandson, whose round eyes were still wide open even in death.
Perhaps the child’s not-so-clever little brain was puzzling over how it came to see its own back.
Tang Mingyuan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Upon opening them again, his eyes had hardened, and he asked, “Your Excellency is a master schemer, not needing to lift a finger yourself to push me into a desperate situation!”
A flash of delight crossed Zhou Yi’s eyes, his objective accomplished. He said, “Even if I had not incited it, the Nine Regular Attendants would have made a significant case, leaving Chancellor Tang with no choice.”
Tang Mingyuan stated, “So it just so happens that it’s the Lu family’s turn to be unlucky?”
“For every drink and peck, there is a preordained cause.”
Zhou Yi said mysteriously, “The execution of the Lu family’s Nine Clans may not necessarily spell doom; who knows if another form of restitution awaits them in the future.”
Not understanding the implications, Tang Mingyuan said solemnly, “If matters succeed in the future, I will overturn the case for the Lu family and avenge them. All palace servants involved will accompany the Lu family in death!”
“Of course.”
Zhou Yi replied, “I will write a list; all palace servants involved in the Lu family’s case will be at the disposal of Chancellor Tang.”
Tang Mingyuan reminded, “Do not think to have someone else take the fall, like the High Constable Sun from the Eastern Depot. He must die!”
Sun, as the High Constable, held a position of power and influence within the Eastern Depot, acting as Zhou Yi’s right-hand man.
Zhou Yi nodded, “Sun shall top the list.”
Tang Mingyuan looked confused, but Zhou Yi explained unhurriedly.
“Why should he entertain the idea of straddling two boats, loyal both to me and to the Marquis of Enze…”
Loyalty that isn’t absolute is absolutely disloyal.
By using Tang Mingyuan, Zhou Yi intended to purge the palace servants. In the future, the Eastern Depot would only allow one voice, making even an order from the Emperor difficult to carry out.