Chapter Six Thus Spoke

  At this critical moment, the whistleblower who impeached Cui Chengxiu was attacked, and Yang Weigong's steward reported to the Beicheng Bingmashi. The news spread throughout the court on the second day, and the Wucheng Bingmashi naturally knew the severity of the matter. They immediately sent someone to protect Yang Weigong's residence and started investigating on the same day. Many people believed it was Cui Chengxiu's doing, but they heard that Yang Weigong did not accuse Cui Chengxiu. Another rumor spread that a hundred-household from Shandong single-handedly fought off three thugs and saved Yang Weigong, and even got injured in the process. However, people only knew about this man.

  At this time, Chen Xin was in a quiet courtyard outside Chongwenmen Zhengdong Alley, listening to Lu Lu's narration.

  "Yesterday, after leaving Fangjia Hutong, we first went to Bian Dan Hutong, changed our outer garments on the way, and then from Yidao Hutong to Chongwenmen, and then to Dengshi Street before turning back to Chongwenmen Avenue. On the road, we followed big brother's instructions, with three people walking separately, spaced ten steps apart. We turned around three times in between, but didn't find anyone following us. When we arrived here, it was also at intervals of a certain period of time that one person came in."

  "Have you taken care of the clothes you changed out of?"

  Qin Lü Fang said: "I walked through Xuanwu Gate into the inner city and threw it near Mingyu Alley where Cui Chengxiu was."

  "Good, you've all done well," Chen Xin praised. "The people we're dealing with now are imperial court nobles, so we must be careful in everything. It's better to take more trouble and ensure stability first."

  Zhang Dahuai and Haigouz also nodded, after all they knew that beating the imperial officials was a serious crime. Chen Xin asked them to change clothes along the way, disperse and walk around, and circle around the crowded lantern market to eliminate possible investigation characteristics, making three people feel very novel.

  "From today on, none of you three are allowed to leave this place, understood?"

  "What's up, sir?" Qin Luofang replied.

  "You can only buy food for one person per day, others' food can be prepared in advance."

  "Alright, as the elder said, after arriving in Beijing, buy some more after a few days, without drawing attention, just enough for three people to eat for a month."

  "That's enough, Lawyer Lu, you've done a good job. Just go back to your usual routine, going out every day to drink tea and watch plays. Don't be different."

  "Understood, sir."

  "Hey, Brother Chen, if we don't go out and you encounter something like a green skin, what will you do?" asked the silly-looking sea dog.

  Chen Xin chuckled and said: "Big brother single-handedly fighting against three of you, what's there to be afraid of?"

  The four of them knew what he was referring to and burst out laughing.

  Chen Xin smiled and then said: "And also Dài Zhènggāng and Zhū Guóbīn, don't worry."

  Lu Zi asked Chen Xin with some confusion: "Brother, what's the point of beating Yang Weiyuan like this? Is it that if you save him, the emperor will promote you?"

  Chen Xinyan shook her head: "The emperor won't promote you that easily. The Ming dynasty has rules and regulations for promotion, it's not just a matter of wanting to be promoted."

  "Big brother, aren't we at a disadvantage now?"

  "There is, but still need to do one thing."

  "What's up?"

  "Get out of here!"

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  The Ministry of War's offices on the west side of the Qianbu Lang, were divided into Wu Xuan Qingyi Si, Chejia Qingyi Si, Zhi Fang Qingyi Si and Wu Ku Qingyi Si. Each department had a Langzhong and a Zhushi, all of whom were civil officials. In the early Ming dynasty, there was the Five Military Commissions, which was responsible for managing the national Wei and Suo. When troops were sent out, the Ministry of War would temporarily appoint a commander-in-chief, grant him a seal, and when he returned from battle, he would hand over the seal. After the mid-Ming period, the Wei and Suo became weak and disorganized, and the civil officials had long suppressed the military officers. The positions in the Wu Jun Du Dufu all became nominal posts for military officers, with all military power concentrated in the Ministry of War, which even directly interfered with the command of frontline generals. It was already the highest management and command organ of the Ming dynasty's armed forces.

  At this time, it was just after noon, and the gates of the Ministry of War and the main hall were coming and going with officials wearing various military and civilian uniforms, seemingly no different from usual, and on the surface very calm.

  After the new emperor ascended to the throne in August, he did not change officials at first, but from the eunuchs' continuous probing, it can be seen that the situation is still subtle. Although the eunuchs occupy most of the power departments, the emperor has the orthodox lineage. More than a month after Chongzhen ascended to the throne, the advantage was slowly shifting. The Minister of War, Cui Xingjiu, who was at the forefront of the storm, had already submitted his resignation twice, although the emperor did not approve it, but the officials in the Ministry of War were all old birds in the officialdom, and they knew that it would not be so simple.

  As expected, on the 17th day, an imperial edict was suddenly issued, promoting Wu Xuan, a langzhong of the Ministry of War, to be the Vice Envoy of Zhejiang, and Liu Jia-yu, a langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel, to be the Vice Envoy of Huguang. These two departments are the most important in the Ministry of War. Although the position of Vice Envoy is a fat post, it is after all only a deputy position, which means that there has been a demotion in disguise. Since the edict has been issued, it indicates that both the Grand Secretariat and the Imperial Censorate have no objections. Everyone speculates that perhaps the Emperor intends to abandon Cui Xing-shiow.

  Moreover, yesterday Yang Weiyan coincidentally impeached Cui Xingxiu again, and was assassinated on his way home from work. Everyone knows about this matter now. In the current sensitive period, everyone suspects that Cui Xingxiu is highly suspicious. Following convention, Cui Xingxiu will likely need to submit a memorial to defend himself and resign. Some officials have already begun preparing to impeach him again after hearing about the incident.

  Newly appointed Minister of War Wu Xuan Si's chief, Qian Yuanheng, was cultivating his spirit in the grand hall of Wu Xuan Si. Jiang Shiying was transferred, and Wu Xuan Si was temporarily presided over by Qian Yuanheng. This position is a fat post, he has made preparations to get rich, but to get rich for a long time, he still needs to understand politics, standing in the right position is very important. Qian Yuanheng also didn't make up his mind, he planned to observe again, but Cui Chengxiu seemed to be able to be dealt with.

  The sound of footsteps came from outside the door, Qian Yuanyi narrowed his eyes and took a glance. A tall and imposing military officer wearing a hundred-family official uniform walked in with a smile, elegant and refined, without the usual fierce aura of a martial artist.

  "Rude and unrefined martial officer!" Qian Yuanyi cursed in his heart again, closing his eyes to calm himself. In his opinion, this sixth-grade martial officer was no different from a janitor or a cook, although he himself was also a sixth-grade officer.

  A bookkeeper next to him lazily said: "What's his business?"

  "Your subordinate has been promoted to a military rank." Chen Xin said with a smile and a bow.

  "What is your occupation?"

  Chen Xin cursed in his heart, obviously wearing the uniform of a hundred households, but he was still gentle and said: "The subordinate is a real hundred households, thinking of upgrading to a thousand households."

  "Alright, the document can be issued now, and the receipt for the silver payment from the Ministry of Revenue will follow."

  Chen Xin took out the document from his bosom and handed it over to the clerk with both hands. The clerk received it, felt something hard inside, and touched a lump about the size of five taels. He nodded slightly, acknowledging that he understood the general idea, and quietly accepted it.

  Shu Ban flipped through the documents, and finding no major issues, he gave Chen Xin a subtle nod, slightly inclining his head towards Qian Yuanheng. He said, "This is Mr. Qian, the chief of the Martial Selection Office, who will be in charge of handling your appointment."

  Chen Xing suddenly knelt down on the ground: "It was Lord Qian, I didn't recognize you when I arrived in Beijing, and I was rude just now."

  Qian Yuanyi's eyes remained closed, and he let out a gentle hum from his nostrils. This thousand-household leader seemed to know that Wen Gui was not good at martial arts, so he didn't call him up. He said calmly: "Although the documents are complete, official ranks involve job categories and official bodies. Even if one inherits a title, they must be evaluated on their military achievements with bow and horse, and only those with virtue and talent can do it."

  What Qian Yuanyi said was about the early Ming dynasty, when military officers had land and population, high positions and heavy power, bullying civil officials often happened, but now it's already the late Ming dynasty, what's the point of examining archery and horse riding? Chen Xin said loudly: "The subordinate is familiar with archery and horse riding, but hasn't read many books, in the future will definitely ask for more advice from your excellency, but the subordinate indeed has a heart of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, hoping your excellency can fulfill it." While speaking, Chen Xin respectfully handed over the document, and in his hand was the eastern pearl that had been cheated.

  Qian Yuanyi still closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair and said leisurely: "In the future, when selecting officials for military positions, those below the rank of qianhu may not be appointed to actual positions above qianhu, have you thought this through?"

  "Now I understand, all I want is to bring honor to our ancestors."

  Qian Yuanyi slowly took over the document, feeling the pearls underneath. His face didn't change color at all. These six officials from the capital had low salaries and were all hoping for a promotion or an outside appointment to a lucrative position. Every time there was a real vacancy, they would have to spend a lot of money, so it was said that the annual cost of official promotions and appointments was several times their salary.

  Qian Yuanhui slightly touched it and knew it was a good pearl. While looking at the documents, he glanced at it twice, and it seemed to be an oriental pearl from Liaodong, which had risen in price significantly after being occupied by the Tartars. Qian Yuanhui was still satisfied because Chen Xiweng's documents were complete, just a matter of procedure, and having a pearl worth dozens of taels was already giving face.

  "Although it is said that those with a rank below 1,000 households are not allowed to hold real positions, this is not absolute. As long as one has virtue and talent, there are exceptions." Qian Yuanyan's tone slightly relaxed, and he raised his eyes to see Chen Xin still kneeling, magnanimously allowing Chen Xin to get up. Every time Chen Xin knelt before these people, he was filled with resentment, but what annoyed him the most was that he had to put on a pleased expression on his face. Especially this broken official in front of him, who was also a sixth-rank official like himself, yet acted more superior than a third-rank governor.

  Qian Yuanyi flipped through the document and saw the three words "Weihaiwei" in it. He was about to let Shu Ban go get the military registration yellow book for verification, but suddenly remembered the rumors of the past two days and asked: "Chen Baihu, are you a soldier from the Shandong Wei?"

  "Yes, I am the Left Thousand Households of Weihaiwei, and one of its hundred households. It was only two years ago that I joined the Weihaiwei garrison, and due to my merits, I was promoted to a small flag. This year, during the Ningjin great battle, I captured and killed Jian Nu's spies, and was promoted to hundred households." The yellow register reported to the Ministry of War was made three years ago, Song Wenxian specifically instructed Chen Xin to say that he joined two years ago, so as to explain why his name is not on the yellow register.

  "Oh, then there's no need to check the yellow book," Qian Yuanyi said, not paying much attention to this question. He paused for a moment and asked tentatively: "When did Chen Baohu arrive in Beijing? Has he heard about yesterday's incident at Beicheng?"

  "Is Governor Qian referring to the assassination attempt on Imperial Inspector Yang? I happened to be present at the scene yesterday."

  Qian Yuanyi opened his eyes a little, carefully looked at Chen Xin again, and didn't say whether it was good or bad. He asked: "So that hundred households is you? I heard you were also injured. Is it serious?"

  Chen Xin lifted his right sleeve, and the bandaged cotton still showed some bloodstains. He said, "Don't worry, sir. It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."

  Qian Yuanyi now believed it, but he still didn't think this person was anything special.

  He sat on a chair, pretending to be careless and asked Chen Xin: "Your hundred households are quite brave, did those thieves leave any clues at the time?"

  Chen Xindao said: "I am not a brave warrior, but I was driven by righteous indignation and my reason is just. Those thugs are guilty and timid, so they are no match for me. Unfortunately, I didn't catch any of them. I heard that the bandits interrogated Yang Yuanshuai, asking him why he impeached a certain high-ranking official, and cursed him as a traitor. In my opinion, it must be that official who hired thugs to take revenge. If I could memorialize the emperor, I would also impeach him."

  Qian Yuanyi did not dare to ask again, and quietly put away the pearl. He glanced around and said to Chen Xin: "You're right, this matter still needs to be decided by the Imperial Censor. You can go back and wait for news, it will probably come down in a few days."

  "Thank you, Lord Qian." After bowing, Chen Xin retreated and went out.

  Qian Yuanyi waited until he left before taking out the pearl and examining it carefully under the table. Suddenly, he heard a loud shout from the Ministry of War's main hall.

  "Choi Chengxiu, you treacherous thief!!!!!"

  Qian Yuanyi's eyes suddenly opened wide and round.