Chapter 74: The Aftermath of the Search and Seizure

Zhang Cheng realized that it had nothing to do with Lady Feng, so his interest waned. After Tian Ergeng departed, he then interrogated the various individuals involved in the specific matters handled by the Jinyiwei (Embroidered Uniform Guard) and the eunuchs who had accompanied Tu Wenfu. The investigation confirmed that Tian Ergeng had indeed not been lying, and that Tu Wenfu had not received any instructions from Wei Zhongxian. However, Tu Wenfu had brought fifty carts, intending to allocate ten to Wei Zhongxian, ten to Lady Feng, and retain thirty for himself.

Two days later, the case was finally concluded, and Zhang Cheng and Liu Jingwen submitted the documents to the palace. During their journey, Liu Jingwen inquired, "Why are we targeting Lady Feng? Has the Empress said anything about it?"

Their relationship had been excellent during their time as classmates, and now that they jointly oversaw the Clean Government Office, there were no secrets between them. Thus, Liu Jingwen had no reservations in speaking his mind.

Zhang Cheng responded, "The Empress did not utter anything against it, and she and Lady Feng seem to have a decent relationship."

Liu Jingwen looked surprised. "Then why is that so?"

Zhang Cheng explained, "I have always harbored doubts about Lady Feng. Who keeps a wet nurse in the primary household for such an extended period?"

Liu Jingwen cautioned, "The Emperor and the Empress enjoy an excellent relationship. You must not act rashly or it could tarnish the Emperor's perception of the Empress."

Zhang Cheng was taken aback. He had only considered driving Lady Feng out of the palace, but he hadn't anticipated how the person in the palace would view the Empress upon learning his true intentions. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Brother Liu, this is a blessing for my Zhang family; we will be spared one calamity. I shall not dare to make any arbitrary decisions again."

Liu Jingwen smiled and replied, "As long as you understand."

After reviewing the documents, the Emperor felt relieved. What he feared most was Wei Zhongxian instructing Tu Wenfu; in any case, he needed to remove Wei Zhongxian from his side. Since it had now been proven that Wei Zhongxian had no involvement, there was no issue.

Curiously, he asked, "Why involve Lady Feng as well?"

Liu Jingwen answered promptly, "Tu Wenfu once tutored Lady Feng's son, Hou Guoxing, in his studies, so he had long been under Lady Feng's protection. Tu Wenfu claimed he wished to repay the favor to the lady and the factory director, but I suspect it is merely an excuse after the fact. Please, Your Majesty, inspect carefully."

The Emperor inquired further, "Then, what punishment do you believe these two should receive, Liu?"

"Your Majesty, as you stated, the Clean Government Office is tasked with supervising officials but possesses only investigative powers, with no authority to pronounce sentences. Therefore, this falls outside our jurisdiction. Determining the appropriate punishment is entirely at Your Majesty's discretion."

The Emperor smiled. "Indeed. I believe that rules are most important. If everyone knows their own scope of authority, the world will be at peace. These two presumed they held the right to embezzle the wealth of the realm, which is why things turned out this way. You two may withdraw. Continue recruiting personnel, expand the Clean Government Office. I want you to establish it throughout the nation."

As the two departed, Zhang Cheng was already drenched in sweat. He sensed that the Emperor's final words carried a warning for him. Liu Jingwen reassured him, "It is only because you are insecure that you think this way, but it would be wise to be more cautious in the future."

Zhang Cheng nodded repeatedly. The fleeting idea he had harbored had vanished completely.

The Emperor summoned Wei Zhongxian and handed him the documents. After Wei Zhongxian finally managed to read them, he immediately prostrated himself and said, "This slave has failed in Your Majesty's heavy trust by allowing Tu Wenfu to believe he could embezzle at will. Please, Your Majesty, punish this slave."

The Emperor pondered for a moment and asked meaningfully, "Tu Wenfu, what punishment do you think is appropriate?"

Wei Zhongxian declared fiercely, "Flay the skin and stuff the body with grass; only severe punishment can warn others so that none dare to embezzle again."

"What about Tian Ergeng?"

"Tu Wenfu is this slave's subordinate, but Tian Ergeng is not. Therefore, this slave dares not pronounce judgment."

The Emperor said, "I once told you to manage the Eastern Factory and the Jinyiwei for me. Look at what you have done. This time, the Jinyiwei investigated the private dealings with the Jurchens, yet you have neither merit nor credit. The Eastern Factory has none either. Do you comprehend?"

Wei Zhongxian understood that the matter was finally settled and hurriedly said, "This slave thanks Your Majesty for the grace. In the future, this slave will surely rectify the Eastern Factory thoroughly and watch over the Jinyiwei well, never allowing such an incident to occur again."

"It is useless to say that. I want to see results. You handle it as you see fit."

The following day, the Emperor issued an edict: Investigate the merchants Fan Yongdou, Wang Dengku, Jin Lianyü, Wang Dayu, Liang Jiabing, Tian Shenglan, Zhai Tang, and Huang Yunfa from the Zhangjiakou fort. Originally Han Chinese, they had secretly colluded with the Later Jin, smuggling prohibited goods into Later Jin territory, selling the looted goods for the Later Jin, and passing military intelligence while harboring spies. They are traitors to the realm. Order that these eight individuals and their accomplices be beheaded publicly as a deterrent, and that their family properties be confiscated. However, those in their households who were not involved in this matter shall not be implicated, regardless of their relationship. This is the edict.

This edict caused the term Hanjian to become a topic of heated discussion. Newspapers specially published numerous letters from reporters. Some recounted the traitors of various dynasties and condemned them; some began with the distinction between civilized and barbarian, gradually explaining why one should not become a traitor; some advocated for no leniency toward traitors, arguing that the Emperor's punishment was too lenient and that the nine clans should be implicated instead.

Therefore, in the next issue, a special editorial addressed the issue of implicating relatives: Is it reasonable for a person who has not committed any crime to be punished by being implicated solely because a relative has committed a crime? Please discuss and submit your opinions to the newspaper office so we may explore it together. We believe the saying: If reasonable, it travels the world; if unreasonable, even a single step is difficult.

A few days later, the Emperor issued another edict: The chief eunuch of the Eastern Jiedishi Factory, Tu Wenfu, embezzled during the investigation and confiscation. He is to receive the punishment of flaying and stuffing with grass. Tian Ergeng, the thousand-captain of the Jinyiwei, is to be beheaded. The supervisor of the Eastern Jiedishi Factory, Wei Zhongxian, is fined half a year's salary, and this confiscation bears no relation to the Eastern Jiedishi Factory.

In this confiscation, a total of nearly 73 million taels of silver were obtained. With money in hand, the Emperor felt at ease. In the court audience, he proposed to relocate the Arsenal as soon as possible to clear out the Wanggong Factory. Xu Guangqi stepped forward and stated that the Ministry of Revenue's finances were not in good shape, as taxes for the current year had not yet been collected, and it was uncertain if they could afford much to clear the Wanggong Factory, let alone rebuild it. The Emperor responded, "Then so be it. Let the Ministry of Revenue fund the relocation of the Arsenal, and the clearing of the Wanggong Factory shall be entirely funded by my inner treasury. However, first it must be made clear that funds from the inner treasury for clearing shall also be used for rebuilding. How to construct it and its subsequent use shall be decided by the palace; other ministries shall not interfere."

The ministers knew that the Emperor's inner treasury had been expended quite heavily in recent times, such as for the grand wedding and supplying the Liao Dong army's rations, all using the inner treasury. The old foundations of the Wanli era should have been nearly depleted. Now that the Emperor wished to use the inner treasury to clear and rebuild the Wanggong Factory, it was something they could not refuse, and all agreed unanimously.

Li Zhen had already produced usable cement with his people, with a daily output of ten thousand jin. As proficiency increased, there should be a significant further improvement. The Emperor intended to use cement to construct the Wanggong Factory, transforming it into a university city and an upscale residential district.