Chapter 129: Relying On Them, The Great Ming Dynasty Might Perish!?
Old Zhu wanted to expand the results of Zhang Biao’s ‘audit,’ but he could never determine Zhang Biao’s true thoughts.
Although there were subsequent actions, they were always confined to a power struggle with Zhang Biao, thus neglecting the core essence of Zhang Biao’s ‘audit.’
What Zhang Biao wanted was to change a world that he felt should not be this way.
He was willing to risk his own life for it.
But Old Zhu always felt that Zhang Biao was gambling with his life against him, seeking more and greater benefits.
Otherwise, why would he always talk about settling accounts? And ‘extorting’ him, and ‘forcing donations’ from Li Jinglong and Guo Ying?
Now, through the probing by Shen Lang and others, Old Zhu finally understood that besides his son, Zhu Biao, there were people in the world who did not fear imperial power and dared to resist it.
It was like how his son, Zhu Biao, dared to resist his emperor father for the sake of his own benevolent governance, principles, and reason.
“But why would that bastard ‘dismiss Confucianism’?”
Old Zhu furrowed his brow slightly and murmured:
“Doesn’t he know that once these words are spoken, even if we don’t want to kill him, we must? Otherwise, there’s no way to explain it to the scholars of the world.”
“Although I don’t like that group of pedantic Confucian scholars, since Emperor Wu of Han, the foundation of ruling the world has been Confucianism. If it’s abolished, how can the world be ruled?”
“Could it be that that young man has a better method of governing the world?”
“If that’s the case, why didn’t he tell us directly?”
“If he dies, he will have nothing. If he lives, he can do more, can’t he?”
Old Zhu couldn’t figure it out, no matter how he thought about it.
Finally, he cast a deep gaze towards the Imperial Prison again and sighed, “You bastard, why are you always so unfathomable!?”
Just as Old Zhu was having a headache over Zhang Biao, the events outside the Gate of Heavenly Acceptance quickly reached Fu Youwen and the others.
Minister of War Ru Chang was the first to suppress his anger, growling in a low voice, “Useless! A bunch of useless people!”
The flesh on his fat face twitched; it was unclear whether he was cursing the incompetent pure stream students, the old soldiers who surprisingly didn’t fight, or the five ‘little wolf cubs’ who ruined the plan!
“So many students, so many censors and doctors! To actually…”
Ru Chang was so angry he wanted to smash something, but his remaining reason reminded him that this was Fu Youwen’s study, so he could only roar ineffectually:
“To be persuaded by those five low-ranking minor officials under Zhang Biao? What are they even doing!?”
“We miscalculated, truly miscalculated!”
Minister of Works Zheng Ci’s face was pale, and his hand stroking his beard trembled even more:
“We thought that by using this opportunity, we could both incite public opinion to force the Emperor’s hand and, in the chaos, label those troublemaking old soldiers as Zhang Biao’s accomplices, completely eliminating future trouble. We never expected… we never expected…”
He said ‘unexpected’ twice, his voice filled with lingering fear and a strange feeling:
“When did those five youngsters gain such capability and courage? To dare to face the conflict directly and still persuade both sides?”
“My Lords!”
Vice Minister of Personnel Zhai Shan’s young face was filled with gloom and deep apprehension as he slowly said:
“We may have… always underestimated these ‘little wolf cubs’ left behind by Zhang Biao.”
After saying this, he took a deep breath and analyzed:
“Previously, our attention was entirely on that lunatic Zhang Biao, thinking that Shen Lang, Li Mo, and the others were merely relying on Zhang Biao’s influence, a group of mindless followers. But now it seems that is not the case.”
“When Zhang Biao was around, they might have only needed to follow and execute.”
“But once Zhang Biao was gone, they seemed to be forced to grow up?”
Zhai Shan’s tone carried a deduction he was reluctant to believe:
“Moreover, they chose a method of response that better fits the workings of the officialdom, not confronting head-on, but persuading with reason, moving with emotion, and even understanding how to utilize rules and the Emperor’s taboos!”
Fu Youwen, who had been listening silently, finally spoke, his voice extremely hoarse, “Vice Minister Zhai is right. We indeed misjudged them.”
After saying this, a hint of unprecedented seriousness and even fear flashed in his eyes.
“Zhang Biao is mad, hacking and slashing openly and aboveboard. While terrifying, he is at least visible and can be guarded against.”
“But these few people he left behind…”
“Shen Lang is skilled in accounting and has begun to show courage; Li Mo is calm and good at planning; Sun Gui is brave and impulsive but has started to learn restraint; Wu Nai Da is proficient in the Ministry of Personnel’s rules; Zhao Fengman…”
He paused, his gaze gradually turning grim, “That is a Censor who fears no chaos in the world!”
“They are now united, learning Zhang Biao’s boldness, but also using this world’s methods of conduct… to deal with us!”
“This…”
The other three men looked at each other upon hearing this and nodded in silence.
But Fu Youwen’s words were not yet finished.
He then said somberly, “Their methods might not meet Zhang Biao’s expectations, but they have gained their own room to maneuver, and at the same time, they have not given the Emperor any excuse to suppress them.”
He stopped there, looked around at the three men, and narrowed his eyes, “Zhang Biao sought death; they do not want to die! They want to live and continue to fight us!”
“Or rather, they want to drag us down with them before they die!”
These words struck each person like a heavy hammer.
Yes!
One ‘madman’ who wasn’t afraid of death was already troublesome enough, and now there were five more ‘little madmen’ who were determined to succeed or die trying, and were even learning to fight with a broader perspective!
“So, what do we do now?”
Ru Chang scratched his head in annoyance, “Are we just going to watch these few little beasts grow up?”
“After this incident, will the Emperor look at them differently?”
Zheng Ci worriedly said, “Will he think they are people who can stabilize the situation and understand the bigger picture?”
A ruthless glint flashed in Zhai Shan’s eyes as he said:
“We must nip them in the bud! We absolutely cannot let them gain power!”
“It’s difficult.”
Zheng Ci shook his head, his tone extremely heavy, “After the commotion at the Gate of Heavenly Acceptance, these five have ‘appeared in public.’ If anything were to happen to them now, the Emperor would suspect us first! Jiang Huan’s eyes are not just for show!”
Saying this, he couldn’t help but sigh:
“Our only course of action now is to be even more careful. We absolutely cannot act directly against them for the time being.”
“Then what do we do?” Ru Chang was anxious.
Fu Youwen gave a sinister smile, “If we can’t do it openly, we’ll do it covertly. The events outside the Gate of Heavenly Acceptance are already a handle, aren’t they?”
After speaking, he lowered his voice and began to lay out the plan: “First, immediately have our people spread news in the Imperial Court and among the scholars!”
“Say that Shen Lang, Li Mo, and the others, while outwardly dissuading, were actually inciting!”
“It was they who secretly ordered those old soldiers to storm the palace, and then pretended to persuade them afterwards, seeking fame and winning people’s hearts! Their intentions are punishable, even more so than Zhang Biao’s!”
“Second, focus impeachment on Shen Lang! As a mere Censor, what right does he have to ‘issue’ materials for debt offset on behalf of the court?”
“Even if it’s arrears in pay, it should be handled by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. His actions are an overreach! It’s private exchange! It’s about gaining the loyalty of the troops and plotting rebellion!”
“And Li Mo, a Hanlin Academy Editor, meddling in military and civil affairs, recording so-called ‘distribution account books’ – what does he want to do? Establish his own faction?”
“Third!”
Fu Youwen looked at Zhai Shan, “You are the Vice Minister of Personnel, and assessing officials is your responsibility. Immediately frame them.”
“Shen Lang’s conduct is frivolous and unworthy of the position of Censor!”
“Li Mo’s actions exceed his authority and violate the duties of a Hanlin scholar!”
“Sun Gui, Wu Nai Da, Zhao Fengman – in short, find all their irregularities, even if it’s just a slight lateness or early departure, magnify it!”
“Suspend their official posts first! Once they lose their official status, let’s see how they can still cause trouble!”
“Brilliant!”
Ru Chang clapped his hands and praised, “Minister Fu’s plan is indeed thorough! With this set of combined blows, let’s see if they don’t lose a layer of skin, even if they don’t die!”
“Also, make those pure stream scholars increase their efforts!”
Zheng Ci added, “Not only should we curse Zhang Biao, but we should also start to bring these five into it, labeling them as Zhang Biao’s accomplices, hidden and more dangerous calamities!”
“More importantly, let Zhang Biao’s words ‘dismiss Confucianism’ spread throughout the world! Let every scholar in the world condemn him!”
“That’s how it should be!”
Fu Youwen nodded with satisfaction, “We need to stir the waters completely, ruin their reputations, and strip them of all their official posts! By then, without protection and having become commoners, won’t they be at our mercy?”
A fierce look appeared in each of their eyes, as if they already saw Shen Lang and the other four facing ruin and being at the mercy of others.
After this incident, the Fu Youwen faction completely adjusted its targets.
Zhang Biao remained a target that had to be eliminated, but Shen Lang, Li Mo, and the other five ‘little characters’ whom they had previously disregarded had now risen to become prioritized enemies with significant potential threat.
“However…”
After speaking, Fu Youwen changed the subject and frowned, “Why is there no news from the Prince and the Duke? Could it be that they intend to abandon us?”
Hearing this, Ru Chang, Zhai Shan, and Zheng Ci exchanged glances, then frowned and remained silent.
If what they had done was worthy of death as vermin of the state, then the great figures behind them deserved to die ten thousand times over.
This was also why Old Zhu, knowing their crimes, still did not act against them.
He wanted to uncover the great figures behind them.
However, even knowing Old Zhu’s intention, they still held onto a sliver of hope for the great figures behind them.
Even if they couldn’t save their own lives, they hoped to save the lives of their families.
“Perhaps, I should send someone again…”
“No need!”
As soon as Fu Youwen finished speaking, Zhai Shan interrupted him:
“We have not yet reached the end of our rope. Moreover, Jiang Huan’s people are definitely watching us. Contacting them now would be tantamount to self-destruction.”
“Exactly!”
Zheng Ci also chimed in:
“In the current situation, it’s still unknown who will win or lose. Perhaps the Emperor will eventually compromise? After all, without us, who will help him govern the country? It certainly won’t be those ‘little wolf cubs’, right?”
“Hahaha—!”
Ru Chang couldn’t help but laugh heartily, “Rely on them? This Great Ming is probably seeking its own demise!?”
Hearing this, everyone looked at each other and smiled.
They had the confidence that Old Zhu would distinguish between what was important and what was not.
After all, their years of forming factions and engaging in self-serving practices far exceeded imagination; whether it was court ministers, noble generals, or princes, they had intricate connections with them.
Unless Old Zhu wanted the entire world to descend into chaos.
“Alright, since that’s the case, let’s deal with those five ‘little wolf cubs’ first!”
Fu Youwen made the final decision, and the other three nodded in agreement.
