Linxia

Chapter 236, History

On this day, Zhang Ruian was on his way back from court. While sitting in the carriage, he could hear passers-by talking about the big case of the previous month.

Well, in the capital, at the foot of the imperial city and at the feet of the emperor, people have had the custom of discussing political affairs since ancient times.

By the way, there is one more point. Contrary to the stereotype, Wei Zhongxian had an extremely bad reputation, but that was among the scholar community - because Wei Zhongxian was too cruel to civil servants and really dared to use a knife, and the scholars controlled the mouthpiece of public opinion, so Wei Zhongxian naturally had a bad reputation among the people.

But what is quite contrary to one’s views is that, under the propaganda of scholars, although the people of the capital cursed Wei Zhongxian, in fact, the impression they had was still okay.

Even if the people scolded Wei Zhongxian for being greedy, they were more likely just joking and having fun, and they did not have the kind of hatred that made them want to eat his bones and flesh.

After all, the people have sharp eyes. During the years when Wei Zhongxian was in power, their quality of life was not bad, and it even improved significantly. This was because Wei Zhongxian did not care about the complicated relationships and strictly rectified the capital. At least, no one dared to build large-scale projects or dig holes on the roads in the capital. Even those illegal buildings were demolished forcibly, giving the capital a brand new look.

In addition, the perfume factory and soap factory opened by Wei Zhongxian spread to the north, recruited a lot of people, and offered generous treatment. At the beginning, didn’t Wei Zhongxian hire a few craftsmen from Fang Lin? After asking, Wei Zhongxian directly and rudely copied the successful experience of Fang Lin’s factory, including all the welfare benefits.

Don't think that Wei Zhongxian treated the people badly just because he was greedy. In fact, Wei Zhongxian was quite good to the people. He killed many officials who embezzled relief funds to ensure that the relief funds were effectively put into use. He also did not exploit the workers in his own factories... As a prince, he had his own pride. Even if he wanted to bully others, he would target princes, nobles, and big families in the south of the Yangtze River. Why was he trying to show off in front of the people?
Back to the topic, Zhang Ruian listened to the discussion of passers-by and a few scholars coming out of the restaurant and cursing Wei Zhongxian. He felt that he was also among those being "greeted" for helping the tyrant to do evil, and a wry smile appeared on his face.

He wanted to make progress and live a good life with his mother. This ambition remained unchanged from the time he copied books in Baihao Temple to when he passed the imperial examination, became a Jinshi, and entered the cabinet.

But after passing the imperial examination, he had no background and it was difficult for him to become an official in the court, so he could only rely on Wei Zhongxian.

After all, he is just an ordinary person who has to support his family and survive. He is not an extraordinary person who does not eat grains.

However, Zhang Ruian joined Wei Zhongxian, but he was also conflicted and painful. The education he received since childhood taught him that he should not sing praises for people like Wei Zhongxian or write inscriptions for his ancestral temple. But he was unwilling to give up his current comfortable life and go back to the hard times in the past. He wanted money! He wanted power!

With such a contradictory mentality, Zhang Ruian could only do more practical things, save some people, stick to his principles on major issues, and avoid becoming a complete running dog of the eunuch party as rumored by the outside world.

For example: he helped Wei Zhongxian with disaster relief, carried out military reforms in Liaodong, made suggestions, and did things that benefited the people; for example, in the third year of Tianshun, Wei Zhongxian stirred up a major case in order to further seize power. Han Yuanjing and others were originally planned to be executed on the winter solstice. He worked hard to reverse the situation and finally made Emperor Tianshun issue an edict to stop the execution, so that Han Yuanjing and others were only dismissed from their posts.

"I am a scholar, but I am also a human being. I have a mother, wife and children to support. If I pursue the so-called integrity and ignore their food, clothing, life and death, what does that mean?"

"I... can live up to my conscience." Zhang Ruian's eyes were deep, and his thoughts were scattered. He returned to the mansion with the sound of the carriage.

As he entered the room, the butler came over and said, "Master, there is a letter from Huai'an through the Imperial Prison Jinyiwei channel. It is from Lord Fang Zidun."

"Oh? Bring it here quickly."

Zhang Ruian came to the study and read Fang Lin's letter with a complicated expression: "Yes, that Minister Dong and Lord Fang are sworn brothers. He was arrested and imprisoned in this major case... Alas, this has posed a problem for me."

In the major case last month, fifty-three officials wrote a letter of advice to the emperor, wanting to kill Wei Zhongxian as soon as possible. However, Wei Zhongxian escaped danger in the end, so naturally they had to fight back.

It must be said that Wei Zhongxian hated the people on that list to the core. Moreover, this was a political struggle, and there was no tenderness or compassion at all.

Of course, the targets on the list are big and small. If they are small figures, he can save his life by making his own decision, but Dong Zugao is different.

Dong Zugao's teacher and father-in-law, Tao Chengbi, is one of the two grand secretaries in charge of this matter. Dong Zugao himself is now the Minister of Personnel, a third-rank official in the court. This target is too big.

Zhang Ruian hesitated for a long time, and finally decided to take on this troublesome matter, grateful for Fang Lin's life-saving and silver gift. "This matter needs some planning, and no deception or schemes can be made. Given Lord Wei's temperament, if this is done, there will be endless troubles... Why not give him a gift, choose a time when Lord Wei is in a good mood, and tell him the truth..."

……

The next day, Zhang Ruian came to a garden and after reporting, he was allowed to go in and meet Wei Zhongxian.

By the way, this garden was the one that Wei Zhongxian had requested from Mi Wanzhong but failed to obtain.

——Mi Wanzhong, Dong Zugao's friend, could not escape even after he was dismissed from office. In the major case in the third year of Tianshun, Wei Zhongxian's men found excuses to implicate and persecute him. This garden was also used by his men to curry favor with Wei Zhongxian, and thus fell into his hands.

From this we can see that it is true that Wei Zhongxian made contributions to Daxia, but it is also true that he persecuted some innocent people.

Don't say it was his subordinates who acted on their own initiative. Shouldn't Wei Zhongxian bear some of the blame for what his subordinates did? Not to mention, after Wei Zhongxian knew about it, he didn't say anything and happily accepted the garden. To a certain extent, he encouraged and permitted it. It can be seen that our Nine Thousand Years Old has a moral bottom line, but to be honest, it is not that high.

However, isn’t that how things and people are in this world? Good and evil, black and white, are never so clear-cut.

By the way, when Zhang Ruian met Wei Zhongxian, Wei Zhongxian was admiring the red coral trees. They were seven-foot-tall red coral trees, and there were three of them!

You have to know: in history books, when Shi Chong was competing for wealth, the tallest coral tree he took out was only three or four feet tall. Although times are changing and more rare treasures are being discovered, this is still extremely terrifying.

A glimpse of the tip of the iceberg also reveals how extravagant Wei Zhongxian was!

"Sir (Zhang Ruian's pen name), you and I are not outsiders. We are here for nothing. What else do you want to bring? By the way, you made great contributions to last month's matter and did a good job. Now, what do you want? Otherwise, you can bring back one of these coral trees?" Wei Zhongxian glanced at him and said with a smile.

Yes, last month fifty-three officials jointly wrote a letter of protest to the emperor. The traitor among them was his adviser. He was an idle piece in the chess game, but unexpectedly, he played a big role at the critical moment.

"I dare not take away the love of the factory owner."

Zhang Ruian saw that Wei Zhongxian was in a good mood at the moment, so he gritted his teeth and said, "I hope that the factory owner will be magnanimous and spare one person this time."

Wei Zhongxian put down the coral tree and squinted his eyes. "If it was a small person, you could make the decision yourself. It seems that this person is an important figure on the list. Now, who is it?"

It must be said that Wei Zhongxian, who has been in a high position for many years, has developed a powerful aura. Zhang Ruian did not dare to look at him when he stared at him like that. He felt a chill on his back, but the arrow had to be shot, so he could only say, "It is Dong Shilang, the Minister of Personnel."

"That father-in-law is Tao Chengbi, the son-in-law of one of the two Grand Secretaries who led the charge to deal with me, and the Ministry of Personnel Doctor Dong Zugao?" Wei Zhongxian said, kicking down a red coral tree worth a million gold, pointing at Zhang Ruian's nose and cursing: "I think you are confused. The other party wants to kill me, and you want me to let him go? If I can let Dong Zugao go, will I let others go too? How do you want people in this world to see me, Wei Zhongxian?"

Zhang Ruian, a cabinet minister and a grand secretary, was scolded so hard that he lowered his head and remained silent. He dared not say a word, and cold sweat broke out on his back, soaking his clothes.

He thought that saying this might anger Wei Zhongxian, but he never expected that it would make the other party so angry.

But it's true, just as Wei Zhongxian said, if even an important figure like Dong Zugao could be let off, wouldn't that encourage others to deal with him, Wei Zhongxian?

Wei Zhongxian kicked down the red coral tree to vent some of his anger. His face changed from gloomy to bright, but he soon calmed down and became expressionless.

But Zhang Ruian knew that this was terrifying, because Wei Zhongxian was in such a state when facing an enemy that he would kill people at the slightest disagreement.

"Tell me, who asked you to tell this?" Wei Zhongxian asked lightly.

Obviously, he began to doubt Zhang Ruian's loyalty.

Zhang Ruian knew that if he didn't dispel Wei Zhongxian's suspicion, he would be in danger. He might even be stabbed to death in his house tomorrow. He dared not hide anything and said frankly, "Sir, the commander of the Huai'an faction is Dong Zugao's sworn brother, and he asked me to..."

He further explained why he accepted this request: "At the beginning, I had not passed the imperial examination yet, and was still studying in the village in my hometown in Lu. That year, Commander Fang came to Beijing and passed through Jining Prefecture. That night, he met me in Baihao Temple at the entrance of the village... The next morning, I was sweeping fallen leaves and a landslide occurred on the back mountain. Half of my body was buried on the way. Fortunately, Commander Fang saved my life... Before leaving, he lent me 100 taels of silver... I will never forget this favor..."

"We know about this. Please sit down!" Wei Zhongxian listened, a look of reminiscence appeared on his face, he seemed not so angry anymore, and waved his hand.

He was angry just now because he suspected that there was someone behind Zhang Ruian who had betrayed him. Now that he understood the whole story, he thought that Zhang Ruian was a grateful person. If he could treat him like this today, he could do the same to himself tomorrow.

What’s more important is that what Zhang Ruian said brought back his memories.

Wei Zhongxian asked, "My Lord, do you know when I first heard of you?"

He didn't want Zhang Ruian to answer this question, so he just talked about it himself: "That was when the late emperor was still alive. Commander Fang... Oh, he was still a deputy officer of the Jinyiwei at that time... The late emperor went out of the palace and talked with that deputy officer Fang. He talked about what he saw and heard on the road, and he heard your name for the first time... I remembered you, and later when you came to us, I didn't doubt you anymore..."

Zhang Ruian heard the whole story, and he didn't expect that he had benefited from Fang Lin in the beginning. He felt even more grateful to Fang Lin. Thinking of Fang Lin's request, he glanced at Wei Zhongxian, and then tried to probe again, "Sir, about... Minister Dong..."

"Forget it, let's just spare Dong Zugao's life! It just so happens that I remember that the prefect of Huai'an asked to resign, so let's fulfill his wish and demote him to Huai'an to be a prefect!"

Zhang Ruian was shocked when he heard this. What did he hear? Wei Zhongxian not only spared Dong Zugao's life, but also did not exile him or dismiss him from office. He just sent him to a remote place, and even sent him to such a lucrative position as the prefect of Huai'an. Is he still the ruthless Wei Changgong?

Wei Zhongxian saw Zhang Ruian's loss of composure and seemed to know what he was thinking. He sneered, "Those civil servants say that I am cruel and ruthless, a cold-blooded devil who can eat children's hearts and livers alive. But who knows that the late emperor's last words to me before his death, I dare not forget for a day..."

In fact, Fang Lin underestimated his own importance in Wei Zhongxian's heart, or rather, he underestimated the importance of Emperor Hong Tai in Wei Zhongxian's heart. Emperor Hong Tai's dying words deeply moved Wei Zhongxian and gave rise to the mentality of "a scholar will die for his confidant".

——As we all know, eunuchs, because of castration, have much stronger paranoia than ordinary people. Therefore, Wei Zhongxian's loyalty and gratitude to Emperor Hongtai are incomprehensible to ordinary people.

It can be said that if Fang Lin had not asked Zhang Ruian to handle the matter, but had asked for it personally, Wei Zhongxian would most likely agree to spare Dong Zugao's life.

Zhang Ruian complimented him: "The merits of the factory owner may not be known by those civil servants, but I know that he has made great contributions to the country and the people of the world..."

"I like to hear this. I admit that I am greedy and have killed countless people, but I have made contributions to Daxia."

Wei Zhongxian seemed to have heard about Emperor Hongtai, which triggered his memories and revealed his true nature. He talked more and revealed his true feelings: "Everyone says that my family is greedy, but I have never attacked ordinary people. Everyone says that my family has killed countless people, but those corrupt officials who dared to attack disaster relief funds, how can we deter them if we don't kill so many people?"

"If it weren't for our family, over the years, natural disasters, man-made disasters, and the invasion of the Liaodong Tartars, I don't know how many more people would have died!"

Zhang Ruian agreed with this in his heart and said sincerely: "What the factory manager has done will surely be appreciated by the world, and his merits and demerits will be recorded in history."

"Oh, why should the people be grateful for what we did? As for the history books, it's just that we were allowed to be ravaged by those civil servants! We also know that those civil servants tried their best to discredit us among the people, but why should we care?"

Wei Zhongxian's words were domineering, with a sense of "only the Spring and Autumn Annals know me and punish me": "We also know that we have killed many honest and upright civil servants, but so what? We don't like all literati, but we just can't stand those hypocritical people. Even if there is an accidental killing, so what?"

"At least, we dare to do it and admit it. Unlike them, we are like whores who want to be virtuous... We are worthy of the late emperor and Daxia!"

"The factory manager is loyal and brave." Zhang Ruian said.

Wei Zhongxian waved his hand, not wanting to talk any more, and got back to business: "Let's let Dong Zugao go, but the others on the list this time... Humph! Didn't they say that I'm a murderer? Well, this time, I'll kill them to show them, otherwise, they'll think I'm easy to bully!"

These murderous words were bound to lead to many deaths.

Zhang Ruian's heart trembled, knowing that Wei Zhongxian had not changed, and was still the cruel and merciless Nine Thousand Years Old!

However, at this juncture, he really didn't dare to say anything.

"Also, Lord, the matter of Dong Zugao is not a reward. Our family will reward meritorious service. I have prepared some small things for you. Take them with you when you leave!"

After Zhang Ruian said goodbye and went back, he found out what the "little stuff" Wei Zhongxian mentioned was. It turned out to be silver, jewelry, curios, and more than ten vehicles and carriages. At this moment, he was a little dazed. If making money was so easy, then why did he have to "eat watered-down barley porridge to fill his stomach and save the good things for him" when he was in the village and couldn't even afford porridge?

After a moment, he seemed to have the answer, and a long sigh rang out from the carriage: "Power! Money!"

……

(End of this chapter)