The Ministry of Works dredged rivers and built structures, taking a cut. In the Ministry of War, they siphoned off funds through inflated payrolls, and the Ministry of Revenue became their personal treasury. They even influenced personnel appointments through the Ministry of Personnel.
They took half of the ceremonial expenses and procurement funds from the Ministry of Rites, and reaped benefits from punishments and penalties issued by the Ministry of Justice.
They even engaged in fabricating false battle reports and deliberately fostering rebellion to maintain their own importance.
The pretext was that the remnants of the Yuan dynasty were frequently moving troops and showing signs of activity, causing great tension in the northern garrisons, who hoped the court would supply them with more provisions and military funds to boost troop morale.
In short, they were reaching out for silver, then lining their own pockets.
Zhu Yuanzhang directly tossed this document aside, rubbed his temples, and picked up another to read.
Yang Xian stepped forward and said in a low voice, "The Huai Xi faction are all men who are content with the status quo and only know how to defend what they have. They are truly unsuitable for important positions..."
"Moreover, these Huai Xi loyalists have been colluding with each other in recent years, showing a tendency to become uncontrollably powerful!"
...
"No need to say more. These Huai Xi ministers, from the founding of the nation to its consolidation, and finally to its governance, have all made contributions!"
...
Zhu Yuanzhang outwardly waved his hand dismissively.
"If it were just this, it would be understandable. However, their actions go far beyond this..."
Yang Xian, who had been prepared, took out a memorial from his sleeve, knelt on the ground, and presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang took it and after reading for a while, his expression changed drastically. His face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
On this thin memorial, the Huai Xi faction was accused of oppressing the common people and the gentry, and of embezzlement and corruption in the provinces.
Furthermore, they had boasted that the empire was won by them, and that the emperor's position was also given to Zhu Yuanzhang by them.
The memorial also detailed plans for a rebellion, led by Lan Yu, which they were preparing to orchestrate.
Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, but Yang Xian felt the atmosphere around them becoming much more somber and murderous.
Seeing this, Yang Xian knew the time was right and quickly said, "Your Majesty's consideration for old friends is indeed unparalleled loyalty."
"However, it is these old officials who have wronged Your Majesty, who have disregarded Your Majesty's grace and committed such wicked deeds. Your Majesty must act decisively."
"Acting decisively, that is well said."
Zhu Yuanzhang paced two steps and suddenly sneered, "Among the major Huai Xi ministers, only Xu Da has been respectful and knows his place..."
"Others, such as Li Shanchang, Tang He, and Lan Yu, have repeatedly installed their own people, and even found their successors..."
"What place do these men leave me in by doing such things? It seems I must find a way to deal with them."
"This subject is willing to shed his blood and die for Your Majesty."
Hearing this, Yang Xian's eyes welled up, and his heart was filled with excitement.
If he handled this matter well, he could become the Left Chancellor of the Secretariat, second only to the emperor.
After Zhu Yuanzhang and Yang Xian discussed matters in the Imperial Garden for half an hour...
To maintain secrecy, Yang Xian left first. Zhu Yuanzhang waited for the time it takes an incense stick to burn before coming out.
Just then, he saw a palace maid walking by as if by chance.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
This palace maid, only sixteen years old, was exceptionally beautiful. As if by chance, she quickly bowed by the roadside, exuding a pure and maidenly fragrance.
"Insolent servant! How dare you spy on my movements?"
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly flew into a rage, "Drag her away and bury her alive... Furthermore, investigate this matter thoroughly. Arrest everyone involved and subject them to torture..."
"I do not need such scheming individuals by my side. This time, it's a warning to the chickens. Next time, there will be no chickens or dogs left!!!"
"Your command is my will!"
The chief eunuch Huang Minghao, who was attending by his side, received the order and had people drag the palace maid away.
Huang Minghao glanced at the beautiful woman who had collapsed on the ground and sighed inwardly.
"Being too clever in the palace is foolish..."
"Can you, a mere servant, probe into the Emperor's secrets? A pity, no matter what you intended before, whether to climb onto the dragon bed or do something else, it's all over now."
After venting his emotions, Zhu Yuanzhang, now calm, took a breath and turned towards Feng Feng Palace.
After all, the Empress had just recovered from her illness, and it would be improper for him not to visit.
...
An inn.
A censor from the Censorate found a seat at "Liu Family Lamb Restaurant."
This Liu Family Lamb Restaurant was an old establishment, said to have been open for a hundred years, with an excellent reputation in the capital.
The Liu Family Lamb Restaurant was doing good business, especially the lamb offal soup, which was generous in portion, cheap, and delicious, a favorite among many customers.
Several old men, drinking heartily and eating meat heartily, said, "It's good that there's peace in the land..."
The Great Ming Empire had only been established for twenty years. These grandfathers, in their fifties and sixties, had vivid memories of chaotic times, having experienced them firsthand.
Now that the country was peaceful and prosperous, and the people were settled, this was a blessing for the empire!
At this moment, several scholars, acting their parts, were pretending to compete in drinking.
After all, only when a person was drunk did they tend to blurt out everything they thought, and others would believe that what they said was their true feelings.
After all, there is a saying: "Drunk words are true words."
A scholar named Kang Youwei gulped down a bowl and then deliberately shouted in a loud voice.
"The Emperor's selection of jinshi this time, do you not understand? The Huai Xi faction in the south has fallen from power."
"Perhaps, it's because the scholars from other provinces are too outstanding?"
Another person at the table expressed a different opinion.
"Pah... Let me tell you, although the Huai Xi faction fought for most of this empire, their merits are too great and threaten the ruler..."
"In my opinion, Li Shanchang, Xu Da, Lan Yu, and others might be in great trouble!"
"My uncle is a commander in the Imperial Guard, do you think I wouldn't know?"
"In my view, these high-ranking officials of the Huai Xi faction might end up walking to the execution ground."
"How dare you insult us Huai Xi people?"
A man who had just been transferred from the garrison stood up and said, "I am Lan Yun, also from Huai Xi, and the adopted son of the Great General of Shaanxi!"
"Bang!"
He didn't just scold; in the next moment, he lunged forward and overturned the scholars' table.
"We were merely expressing our views. Brother, why are you so angry?"
"You dare to slander my adoptive father? I'll kill you!"
"Slap, slap, slap..."
The two groups began to brawl, causing the surrounding diners to scramble to get out of the way.
Lan Yun, as a military officer, was fighting bare-handed, holding his own against many and even gaining the upper hand, beating the scholars.
The waiters and shopkeepers wore wry smiles. They wanted to mediate but could not.
Censor Han stood by, coldly observing this premeditated farce.
Suddenly, the sound of breaking porcelain was heard.
It turned out that Lan Yun, blinded by bloodlust, picked up a wine jar and smashed it on the back of a scholar's head.
The scholar fell to the ground, and a pool of blood slowly seeped from his head.
"This..."
Lan Yun was also stunned by this scene and stood there, dumbfounded.
The shopkeeper gave a look to the waiter beside him. Seeing no reaction, he kicked the waiter in the backside.
Under the shopkeeper's threat, the waiter gritted his teeth, mustered his courage, and went to check. He felt for the scholar's pulse.
Suddenly, his eyelids twitched, and he shouted loudly, "Oh no, he's not breathing! He's killed someone?"
"Quick, inform the yamen!"
In an instant, Liu Family Lamb Restaurant descended into chaos.
As the yamen were escorting him away, Lan Yun mumbled, "It wasn't me, I didn't want to... I am the adopted son of the Great General of Shaanxi, I am a general, I want to see my adoptive father, I want to see my adoptive father... You can't arrest me..."
...
The events of that day were quickly smoothed over.
The yamen took Lan Yun away and threw him into Dali Temple, and the scholar's family came to collect the body.
This matter, which could have been suppressed, was, through the diligent propaganda of those with an agenda, spread throughout the capital in just one day.
Walking on the street, one could hear many people discussing the incident.
One person was saying, "What? That general killed someone and has already been released?"
"Impossible! This is the Emperor's capital. Even imperial relatives, if they kill someone, will have to pay a heavy price. What background does that general have?"
"According to himself, he is Lan Yu's adopted son, and no one else can manage him!"
"Is there any justice in this world? Is there any law? Can a group of barbaric warriors be above the law?"
"Alas, who told them they have the backing of the Huai Xi faction... It is rumored that even His Majesty is wary of the Huai Xi faction."
If it were only this, it would have been fine. The Huai Xi faction had ways to suppress this matter.
But, for reasons unknown, one of the scholars initiated it.
All the scholars united and jointly wrote a blood letter, which was hung on the gates of the capital.
The content of the blood letter was roughly: "In broad daylight, under the clear sky... How can we allow warriors? We, the scholarly youth, do not fear the powerful and will jointly advise His Majesty!"
The Great Ming Empire's court and the public were shaken.
A great storm, capable of affecting countless people, was brewing and gathering in the sky over the capital...