Chapter Fifty-Three: Dealing with Cao Jixiang

Chapter Fifty-Three: Dealing with Cao Jixiang

The following day, after the morning audience and lessons, in the afternoon, Zhu Qizhen finally found time and handed over the incriminating materials about Cao Jixiang, which he had received from the Empress Dowager, directly to Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen's heart skipped a beat upon seeing them, and he exclaimed, “Your humble servant had no idea that this wretch was so utterly depraved. I truly was not aware of any of this!”

“You were unaware?” Zhu Qizhen shook his head and said, “If Grand Eunuch Wang had deliberately tried to shield Cao Jixiang, I could accept that; after all, the bond between us is not something ordinary people could compare to. But for you to claim ignorance—that won’t do. The Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are my eyes and ears. If outside officials deceive me with ill intent, that is to be expected, but if, on your side, things cannot be investigated clearly, what then?”

Wang Zhen at that moment regretted his words, not knowing how to recover. He could hardly say that he had some inkling of the matter but chose to remain silent. That would be brazenly deceiving the sovereign.

Indeed, Wang Zhen had not intentionally concealed anything from Zhu Qizhen. As Zhu Qizhen had noted, the connection between them had grown so close that their interests were almost one and the same. Why would Wang Zhen lie to Zhu Qizhen?

But these days, eunuchs sent out on official errands almost universally saw it as a route to wealth. In fact, to return from such missions without presenting a generous tribute to the eunuch in charge was considered incredibly thoughtless.

Wang Zhen himself had accepted his share.

Therefore, even if Cao Jixiang wished to keep his hands clean, such circumstances made it impossible.

Wang Zhen had never thought this was a serious matter.

Now, a thousand words crowded in his throat, but he could only say, “Your humble servant deserves death and never imagined Little Cao would act with such reckless disregard.”

Zhu Qizhen sighed, saying, “Given this, I cannot go against the will of the Grand Empress Dowager.”

Wang Zhen immediately asked, “What does the Grand Empress Dowager intend?”

Zhu Qizhen replied, “Her intention is to have Jin Ying take charge of the Eastern Depot, to ease your burdens a little.”

At this, Wang Zhen was filled with ten thousand reluctances and finally identified the true instigator. Inwardly, he cursed, “So it’s you, Jin Ying, working behind the scenes.”

Who was Jin Ying? He was the leader of the Vietnamese eunuch faction and had been the Grand Chamberlain of the Directorate of Ceremonial during Xuande’s reign. After Emperor Xuande’s death, the Grand Empress Dowager found Jin Ying’s service lacking. Moreover, for the sake of settling Zhu Qizhen, she had appointed Wang Zhen as the Grand Chamberlain, thus supplanting Jin Ying.

No wonder there was no harmony between the two.

Wang Zhen’s true power rested on two posts: the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Eastern Depot. If the Depot went to Jin Ying, it would be as if Wang Zhen lost an arm—how could he be willing?

Zhu Qizhen, noting Wang Zhen’s silence, called, “Grand Eunuch, Grand Eunuch.”

Wang Zhen snapped back to himself, replying, “Your humble servant is ashamed.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “For now, focus on your duties as Grand Chamberlain. In time, I shall return the Eastern Depot to you. We’ll discuss it further then. For now, how should Cao Jixiang be dealt with? I have always found him efficient—on your account, I even considered promoting him further. But alas…”

Wang Zhen replied, “Your Majesty, rest assured. I will see this wretch dealt with.”

“No,” Zhu Qizhen interjected, “Cao Jixiang has rendered service, and merit and fault must be distinguished. Handle it as it should be handled.”

Wang Zhen noted an opening and cautiously inquired, “Then who shall oversee the coal stores?”

“Let him atone for his crimes through continued service,” Zhu Qizhen replied.

Wang Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. In truth, Cao Jixiang was an adopted son he had cultivated for quite some time. Cao Jixiang was dignified, clever, and capable—a rarity even in the imperial palace.

If his life could be spared, so much the better.

Zhu Qizhen added, “The memorial impeaching Cao Jixiang was submitted by the civil officials. We must give them face. Handle his punishment at the Donghua Gate.”

Donghua Gate was the eastern entrance of the Forbidden City, rarely opened like most main gates. Civil officials entered through the East; military men through the West. Not far beyond Donghua Gate lay the Wen Yuan Pavilion. It was the main passage for the court.

Wang Zhen consented immediately.

After leaving the Hall of Heavenly Purity, Wang Zhen’s steps grew heavy, as though burdened by a thousand weights. He glanced back at the palace, sighing inwardly, “The young lord has grown up.”

Having weathered many years in the palace, Wang Zhen was no stranger to intrigue. Compared to him, Zhu Qizhen’s maneuvers still seemed a little green.

Yet, Wang Zhen’s feelings were mixed. Since the young lord’s accession, so much had changed—it was as if he were a different person.

Still, Wang Zhen harbored no suspicion toward Zhu Qizhen. He simply thought the grief of losing his father had changed him deeply.

And with this change, Wang Zhen even felt a degree of comfort. He had watched Zhu Qizhen grow from childhood, investing all the affection of a guardian. Yet, now Zhu Qizhen wielded tactics against him, causing Wang Zhen a pang of sadness. From now on, he would no longer treat Zhu Qizhen as a child.

When Wang Zhen confronted Cao Jixiang, he barked, “So, you’ve done well for yourself, have you?”

Cao Jixiang was startled. “Godfather, what has happened?” Lately, he had been riding high, personally appointed by the emperor and entrusted with important errands, firmly in imperial favor. Ordinary people dared not cross him.

Moreover, all the silver for palace coal purchases passed through his hands. While coal itself seemed of little value, it was essential for daily life.

A little manipulation yielded a sizable sum.

He had both prestige and profit.

Wang Zhen sneered and recounted what had transpired with Zhu Qizhen. “If you’d taken a little silver, the young lord might not have cared. But you should never have, under the name of a palace eunuch, exploited the common people and ruined His Majesty’s reputation. If you weren’t efficient in your work, you’d already have lost your head.”

Cao Jixiang, hearing this, immediately fell to his knees, clutching Wang Zhen’s leg. “Godfather, spare me! Godfather, please save me!”

Wang Zhen replied, “This old bag of bones still has some standing before His Majesty. Your life is spared, but you won’t escape a sound flogging.”

With a gesture, two men seized Cao Jixiang. “Take him away,” Wang Zhen ordered.

Wang Zhen then paraded Cao Jixiang to the Donghua Gate, had him restrained, and forced him onto a redwood bench. The two eunuchs apologized, “Eunuch Cao, forgive us.” They stuffed a towel into his mouth—not to silence him, but to prevent him from biting his own tongue.

Standing on the steps, Wang Zhen read out Cao Jixiang’s crimes. At his command, the two eunuchs administered fifty lashes.

Those fifty strokes nearly cost Cao Jixiang his life.

Fortunately, Wang Zhen had instructed them to keep him alive.

The palace eunuchs responsible for punishment were consummate experts—they could beat a man to near death or leave him unscathed, as they wished. But this time, they did not dare go easy.

After the flogging, Cao Jixiang’s lower body was drenched in blood, his clothes in tatters. He drifted in and out of consciousness, barely surviving.

Wang Zhen, seeing his condition, immediately summoned the imperial physicians to tend to him.

Since Donghua Gate was a thoroughfare for civil officials, such a public display of punishment naturally drew attention. Within moments, word spread throughout the Grand Secretariat, Hanlin Academy, and the Six Boards.

To the civil officials, eunuchs were incorrigible villains. Thus, Zhu Qizhen’s severe punishment of a eunuch was seen as politically correct, especially by the censors who had impeached Cao Jixiang. They hailed the emperor as a wise and enlightened ruler, and Zhu Qizhen’s reputation soared.

Even the members of the Grand Secretariat felt that Zhu Qizhen was finally showing promise as a worthy young sovereign.

All this was unknown to Zhu Qizhen—at that time, he was meeting with Jin Ying.