Chapter 63: Lackey

The Palace of Heavenly Purity was shrouded in gloom, with only a few oil lamps flickering in the draft. Zhu Youjian sat straight upon the dragon throne, his gaze as sharp as a blade, fixed upon Wang Chengen who was kneeling in the center of the hall.

"Wang Chengen, I have given you a chance." Zhu Youjian's voice was measured, yet it carried an arresting chill. Outside the hall, the sound of pattering rain deepened the oppressive atmosphere.

Wang Chengen pressed his forehead against the floor, his voice trembling, "This humble servant has always been utterly loyal to Your Majesty, never harboring any disloyal thoughts!"

"Loyal?" Zhu Youjian let out a cold laugh. "Then how do you explain the ledger hidden in the Eastern Depot's secret chamber?"

Wang Chengen's entire body trembled. When he raised his head, his face was as pale as death. "May Your Majesty discern the truth, those were... those were..."

"Were what?" Zhu Youjian stood up, his imperial robe casting a long shadow under the candlelight. "Could it be that you thought I was still unaware of your clandestine collusion with the Donglin Party?"

Dead silence filled the hall, broken only by the sound of Wang Chengen's ragged breathing.

"I beg Your Majesty to hear my explanation! That ledger was indeed recorded by this humble servant, but it was not to collude with the Donglin, rather... rather to monitor them!" Wang Chengen kowtowed frantically. "This humble servant secretly recorded their every move precisely so that I could expose their crimes to Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian slowly walked down the steps, his imperial boots making a dull thud against the floor. "If that is true, why did you not report this sooner?"

"This... this..." Cold sweat beaded on Wang Chengen's forehead. "This humble servant intended to gather more evidence..."

"Insolent!" Zhu Youjian sharply interrupted. "Evidence? Let me ask you, is Li Yongzhen, the Junior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, your confidant?"

Wang Chengen's expression changed drastically. "Li Yongzhen? He... he is merely..."

"Spare yourself the sophistry," Zhu Youjian said coldly. "He has already confessed. The two of you met in private seventeen times, each time at the Yongning Temple, is that correct?"

Struck as if by a thunderbolt, Wang Chengen collapsed limply onto the floor.

"Your Majesty... this servant... this servant deserves death..." Wang Chengen choked out, "It is simply that this servant could not bear to see Your Majesty blinded by the Donglin Party..."

A cold flash crossed Zhu Youjian's eyes. "So you took it upon yourself to usurp state affairs and form a faction in secret?"

"No... no, it is not so..." Wang Chengen wept bitterly. "This humble servant merely wished to share Your Majesty's burdens..."

"Share my burdens?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "Do you realize that by acting so arbitrarily, you have instead made me even more vulnerable?"

Outside, the rain grew heavier, and Wang Chengen shivered as he prostrated himself on the ground.

"Enough," Zhu Youjian turned and walked back to the dragon throne. "Considering your past services, I shall grant you one more opportunity. Tell me everything you know about the inner workings of the Donglin Party, detail by detail."

Wang Chengen lifted his head, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes. "This..."

"What?" Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "Could it be that your loyalty to the Donglin Party is even greater than your loyalty to me?"

"I dare not!" Wang Chengen kowtowed repeatedly. "This humble servant will speak at once... at once..."

Zhu Youjian picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip. "Speak, I am all ears."

Wang Chengen took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he began, "Reporting to Your Majesty, there are thirty-six agents planted by the Donglin Party within the court, among whom twenty-three are officials of the rank of bureau director or above across the Six Ministries..."

A brilliant gleam flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes, though he maintained a mask of indifference as he continued to listen.

"Yang Jiamo, Director of the Bureau of Operations in the Ministry of War; Zhou Yanru, Imperial Censor of the Ministry of Works..." Wang Chengen called out the names one by one, his voice growing fainter.

"Continue," Zhu Youjian said indifferently.

"Qian Qianyi, Senior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites..." Wang Chengen's voice was barely audible. "He... he is the secret liaison for the Donglin Party in the capital..."

Zhu Youjian set down his teacup. "Qian Qianyi? What is the proof?"

"This humble servant witnessed it with his own eyes. On the fifteenth of every month, he holds secret meetings with various officials at a residence behind the Shuntian Prefecture..." Wang Chengen detailed the accounts.

The rain gradually subsided, and the candlelight flickered within the hall. Having listened in silence, Zhu Youjian suddenly asked, "What of Li Yongzhen? What role did he play in all this?"

Wang Chengen's body shuddered. "Li Yongzhen was... was responsible for laundering and transporting the silver..."

"Silver?" Zhu Youjian's gaze hardened. "Explain clearly."

"The silver extorted by the Donglin Party from various regions was transported to the capital through his hands..." Wang Chengen's voice grew lower and lower, "And then distributed among their various accomplices in the court..."

Zhu Youjian let out a cold snort. "So you secretly participated in this?"

"This humble servant would not dare!" Wang Chengen kowtowed continuously. "This humble servant only wished to probe into their true foundation..."

"Enough," Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "Guards, take him away and keep him under strict surveillance. Tomorrow at high noon, I shall personally interrogate Li Yongzhen, and you shall prepare to confront him."

Two brocade-clad guards immediately entered the hall, hauling the limp form of Wang Chengen away.

"Wait." Zhu Youjian suddenly spoke. "Wang Chengen, I will ask you one last question."

Wang Chengen trembled in fear. "Please ask, Your Majesty..."

"Has the Donglin Party ever... made contact with the Later Jin envoys?" Zhu Youjian's gaze was like a torch.

Wang Chengen shook violently, his face turning the color of ash. "This... this..."

"Take him away." Zhu Youjian waved his hand, watching as Wang Chengen was dragged out of the grand hall.

The hall returned to stillness, save for the flickering candlelight. Looking out at the brightening dawn, Zhu Youjian's eyes flashed with a cold light. "The Donglin Party, the Later Jin envoys... fascinating."

Luo Yangxing, commander of the Brocade Guard, hurried into the hall. "Your Majesty, should we—"

Commander Luo Yangxing immediately dropped to his knees. "Your Majesty is wise! This subordinate will lead men to make the arrests right away!"

"Wait," Zhu Youjian said coldly. "Qian Qianyi's estate is heavily guarded. If we act rashly, we risk startling the prey."

Luo Yangxing raised his head. "This subordinate has already mobilized five hundred elite troops, divided into ten squads, awaiting only Your Majesty's command."

Outside, the rain grew urgent again as a Brocade Guard rushed into the hall. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Qian's residence is blazing with light, as if there is unusual movement!"

"What?" Luo Yangxing jumped to his feet. "Could the news have leaked?"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes. "Pass down the order to seal all city gates of Shuntian Prefecture immediately! No one is permitted to enter or leave!"

"As you command!" Luo Yangxing took the order and departed.

Moments later, Brocade Guard couriers spurred their horses across the capital, moving in separate directions. The courtyards of the Shuntian Prefecture yamen flared with sudden light as runners were startled from their sleep.

Outside Qian Qianyi's estate, dozens of Brocade Guards lay in wait, the sound of blades clearing their scabbards ringing out clearly in the rainy night.

Inside the residence, Qian Qianyi paced back and forth in his study. A domestic servant rushed in frantically, "Master, it is terrible! All the city gates have been sealed!"

Qian Qianyi's expression changed. "Indeed... they still..." Before he could finish, a roar of shouts echoed from outside.

"Qian Qianyi! You are surrounded, surrender immediately!" Luo Yangxing's voice boomed outside the estate.

"Quick! Through the back gate..." Before Qian Qianyi could finish speaking, the sounds of clashing weapons arose from the back courtyard.

Several guards rushed in. "Master! The back gate is blocked off as well!"

Ashen-faced, Qian Qianyi strode to his desk, drew out a letter, and moved to tear it apart.

"Stop right there!" A squad of Brocade Guards burst through the door, their leader pointing a long saber straight at Qian Qianyi.

Qian Qianyi sneered. "You've come just in time!" With that, he tossed the letter into the flame of a candle.

A Brocade Guard leaped forward, but he was a step too late—the envelope was already half-burned.

Simultaneously, the home of Zhou Yanru, Imperial Censor of the Ministry of Works, was also surrounded. Zhou Yanru attempted to scale a wall to escape, only to be captured by pre-positioned Brocade Guards.

As for Yang Jiamo, Director of the Bureau of Operations in the Ministry of War, upon learning the news, he immediately swallowed poison and took his own life. When the Brocade Guards broke down his door, they found him collapsed on the floor, foaming at the mouth.

In an instant, the entire capital was gripped by terror and suspicion. Dozens of officials were rounded up; some submitted without a fight, others resisted stubbornly, while a few fled into panicked suicide.

Luo Yangxing personally escorted Qian Qianyi into the palace. "Your Majesty, Qian Qianyi has been captured, but he managed to destroy a secret letter."

Zhu Youjian let out a cold hum. "Search! Tear Qian's entire estate apart for me!"

The Brocade Guards swung into action immediately, turning the Qian household upside down. Soon, from a hidden compartment, several ledgers and a cache of letters were unearthed.

"Your Majesty, these were recovered from Qian's estate." Luo Yangxing presented the evidence.

Zhu Youjian opened the ledgers, his gaze like lightning. "Indeed! This silver..."

Kneeling on the ground, Qian Qianyi wore the face of a dead man. "May Your Majesty discern the truth..."

"Silence!" Zhu Youjian barked fiercely. "Was this silver sent by the Later Jin?"

Wang Chengen's whole body shook. "This... this..."

"Speak!" Zhu Youjian slammed his hand on the dragon desk.

Qian Qianyi gritted his teeth. "It is... it is from the Jianzhou Tartar envoys..."

Murderous intent flared in Zhu Youjian's eyes. "What a fine Qian Qianyi! I have treated you well, yet you collude with the Jianzhou Tartars. What is your intention?"

Qian Qianyi suddenly looked up, his gaze resolute. "Your Majesty! Everything the Donglin Party has done was for the Great Ming!"

"Insolent!" Zhu Youjian roared. "Colluding with the Jianzhou Tartars is for the Great Ming?"

With sorrow and indignation, Qian Qianyi cried, "Your Majesty trusts only the likes of Wei Zhongxian while refusing to trust loyal ministers like us! This silver was meant to be used to train troops!"

"Train troops?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "Then why do it in secret?"

"Because... because..." Qian Qianyi stammered.

At that moment, another Brocade Guard strode swiftly into the hall. "Reporting to Your Majesty, a military roster was found in Zhou Yanru's home, detailing the numbers of local militias across various regions!"

Zhu Youjian took the roster, his expression growing even more overcast.

Luo Yangxing added from the side, "These militias are likely already..."

Zhu Youjian waved his hand to interrupt. "Take him away! Tomorrow at noon, I shall personally interrogate this case!"

As the Brocade Guards moved to escort Qian Qianyi out, Qian Qianyi suddenly shouted fiercely, "Your Majesty! The Great Ming is in peril! Even if we of the Donglin Party must die, we leave behind a loyal heart!"

"Drag him down!" Zhu Youjian roared.

When the hall grew quiet once more, Luo Yangxing stepped forward. "Your Majesty, should we—"

"Investigate!" Zhu Youjian's gaze burned like a torch. "Find out for me precisely what is going on with these militias!"

Luo Yangxing accepted the order and withdrew as the rain outside gradually ceased.

The horizon revealed a belly-white dawn; the night's raid had finally drawn to a close. Yamen offices across the city began tallying the detained individuals, preparing them for transfer to the imperial prison.

The Qian estate was left in utter disarray, with the Brocade Guards still conducting meticulous searches. Suddenly, a captain discovered an iron box beneath the artificial mountain in the garden.

Upon opening it, he found a stack of letters inside, the uppermost one chillingly addressed: "To be opened personally by the Great Khan of the Jianzhou Tartars."

With a trembling hand, the captain sealed the iron box and hurried toward the palace.

Meanwhile, deep within the imperial prison, Qian Qianyi gazed at the dim, gloomy cell and suddenly chuckled. "We have lost, but the Great Ming... after all..."

Before he could finish, he clutched his chest, and a mouthful of blood sprayed forth. As it turned out, he had concealed poison on his person all along.

The jailers rushed over at the sound, only to find Qian Qianyi collapsed on the ground, a bizarre smile hanging at the corners of his mouth.

"Not good! Report to the Commander! Qian Qianyi has poisoned himself!" a jailer shouted in panic.

The news quickly reached the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Hearing it, Zhu Youjian looked grim. "Dead?"

Luo Yangxing dropped to his knees. "Yes. This subordinate failed his duty and allowed Qian Qianyi to take his own life. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

At that exact moment, the captain who had discovered the iron box rushed in. "Reporting to Your Majesty, crucial evidence has been discovered at the Qian estate!"

Zhu Youjian took the iron box, flipped through the letters, and his gaze grew increasingly sharp.

Luo Yangxing murmured quietly from the side, "Now we finally have a solid hold on the Donglin Party's misdeeds."

Deep within the prison, chilling winds howled. Luo Yangxing held a torch, his footsteps echoing between the damp stone walls.

"Increase the guard! At least four jailers on rotation for every cell!" Luo Yangxing barked sternly. "Under no circumstances shall anyone else be permitted to take their own life!"

The jailers repeatedly acknowledged the order, the flickering light of their torches casting dancing shadows on the walls.

"Sir, the family members of the Donglin Party..." a jailer hesitated.

Luo Yangxing sneered, "Spare none of them! Throw them all into the imperial prison!"

Soon, weeping and screaming rose and fell in waves as squads of Brocade Guards escorted the wives and children of the Donglin faction into captivity.

Zhou Yanru's wife was shoved along the corridor, crying out angrily, "You lackeys! My husband is a senior minister of the court; how dare you treat us thus!"