Ming Dynasty: Is a mere unruly commoner rebelling against heaven?

Chapter 19: The West Depot Purges Officials!

“Grand Secretary Wan, how have you been?”

Wang Zhi’s face was like an iceberg, and his words made Wan An’s legs tremble, almost causing him to faint.

“I wonder if Grand Secretary has missed this Supervisor while in the capital. This Supervisor, while in Southern Zhili, thinks of Grand Secretary Wan every day.”

Wan An was all too familiar with Wang Zhi.

Back when the West Depot was shut down for the first time, it was then-Grand Secretary Shang Lu, along with him, Liu Yu, and Liu Ji, who had petitioned Emperor Xianzong, forcing his hand.

The pressure from the cabinet and the court was too great, and Emperor Xianzong had no choice but to temporarily shut down the West Depot.

Two months later, Wang Zhi was reappointed as Supervisor of the West Depot.

When then-Grand Secretary Shang Lu heard this, he immediately resigned and went home without saying a word.

Because he ran fast, Shang Lu saved his life.

So, when Wan An heard that Zhu Youcheng wanted to reopen the West Depot, he immediately followed Shang Lu's example and resigned to go home.

But this time, he didn't run as fast as Shang Lu and was caught by Wang Zhi.

Seeing Wang Zhi's aggressive demeanor, Wan An said sternly but timidly, “Wang Zhi, don’t go too far!”

“I have already resigned, and the memorial has been submitted!”

“I am no longer a Grand Secretary, so let me pass. His Majesty has already allowed me to return home to retire!”

Wang Zhi was calm and unhurried: “You have submitted the memorial, but hasn’t His Majesty not approved it yet?”

“The memorial has not been replied to, yet Grand Secretary Wan dares to leave the capital without permission. You have some nerve!”

“Men, take them all down for me!”

Wang Zhi didn't wait for Wan An to retort and ordered the arrest of Wan An and his family.

Wan An was anxious and shouted loudly, “Stop!”

“Stop it now!”

“You have no evidence, you can't arrest people at will!”

The West Depot agents didn't care about so much nonsense and quickly captured Wan An and his family, old and young.

Immediately, miserable cries for mercy echoed in the street.

Wang Zhi turned around expressionlessly, his hands behind his back.

“Hmph, evidence?”

“We'll have it after interrogating them in the West Depot prison.”

“Take them away!”

Wan An's entire family, old and young, were arrested one by one by the West Depot agents, who were like wolves and tigers, and taken to the West Depot prison.

Such scenes were playing out all over the capital.

Those officials who had submitted their resignation memorials but wanted to leave the capital before receiving approval were all arrested by the West Depot and taken back to the West Depot prison.

Officials who honestly waited for approval at home or who hadn't had time to prepare to leave the capital were lucky to escape this time.

But the West Depot had already begun a large-scale investigation to collect evidence.

Those corrupt officials who had lined their pockets and recklessly embezzled silver during their tenure, and then wanted to resign and go home to get away with it after the incident.

The West Depot would not let a single one go!

…

On the other side.

Qianqing Palace.

After brushing past Wang Zhi, Liu Jian and the other two arrived at the entrance of Qianqing Palace, and a young eunuch immediately went to report.

“Your Majesty, Grand Secretariat Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian request an audience.”

“Summon them.”

Zhu Youcheng stopped writing his currency reform policy and picked up a cup of hot tea next to him.

After Liu Jian and the other two entered Qianqing Palace, they respectfully saluted.

“Your ministers Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian pay respects to Your Majesty.”

“Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After the three stood up, Liu Jian took out the prepared memorial.

“Your Majesty, we have prepared a list of candidate officials in the past few days, please review it.”

“Okay, let朕see.”

The eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial first took the memorial from Liu Jian's hand, and then presented the memorial to Zhu Youcheng.

Zhu Youcheng picked up the memorial and opened it.

The list in the memorial was very long. This time, a total of one hundred and seventy-nine officials had resigned, and there were multiple candidates for each official position that needed to be filled.

After an official was transferred, the vacant position also needed to be filled by other officials.

Under this series of changes, there were thousands of names on the memorial in Zhu Youcheng's hand.

Giving such a detailed list in just a few days, Zhu Youcheng was quite satisfied with the efficiency of Liu Jian and the other two.

While Zhu Youcheng was looking through the list, Liu Jian took the initiative to introduce the candidates on the list.

“Your Majesty, for the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, your minister believes that Wang Shu, the former Minister of the Ministry of War of Southern Zhili, can take the post.”

“Wang Shu is upright and incorruptible, has deep qualifications, and has many political achievements. Not only can he enter the court as a minister, but your minister also recommends him to join the cabinet to discuss matters.”

Zhu Youcheng carefully recalled, Wang Shu's name seemed a little familiar?

Suddenly, he remembered that this wasn't Wang Shu, one of the Three Gentlemen of the Hongzhi era!

The Three Gentlemen of the Hongzhi era refer to Wang Shu, Ma Wensheng, and Liu Daxia during the Hongzhi era.

Historical books have very positive evaluations of these three people.

Zhu Youcheng nodded: “Approved!”

Liu Jian breathed a sigh of relief and continued to introduce.

“As for the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, your minister believes that Xu Pu, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, can take this position.”

“Xu Pu has a dignified temperament, is generous, and pays attention to principles in his work, which is very suitable for the current political situation.”

“Your minister also wants to recommend him to join the cabinet and recommend him as the Grand Secretary of the cabinet.”

Li Dongyang and Xie Qian cupped their hands at the same time: “Your Majesty, Xu Pu is diligent and has a reputation as an official, making him the best choice for the current Grand Secretary of the cabinet.”

“Your Majesty, your minister agrees that Xu Pu should be the Grand Secretary of the cabinet.”

Zhu Youcheng was a little surprised: “Oh?朕thought that Liu Qing would be recommended as the Grand Secretary?”

Zhu Youcheng remembered that Liu Jian had indeed served as the Grand Secretary for a long time during the Hongzhi Dynasty.

Liu Jian cupped his hands and humbly declined: “Your minister has shallow qualifications, insufficient ability, and cannot bear the heavy responsibility of Grand Secretary.”

“As Your Majesty’s cabinet minister, one should select virtuous and capable people to share Your Majesty’s worries.”

Zhu Youcheng chuckled: “朕am very satisfied that Grand Secretary Liu has this heart.”

“Okay,朕approve.”

Afterwards, Liu Jian also recommended the new Minister of the Ministry of Works, Jia Jun, and Zhu Youcheng also approved.

Just as Liu Jian was about to introduce the officials below, Zhu Youcheng waved his hand.

“No need to read,朕only care about the appointment of ministers of each department. You can decide on the officials below yourself, or let the Ministry of Personnel assess them.”

“Tell me, who are朕’s current six ministers?”

Li Dongyang stepped forward and took the initiative to report to Liu Jian.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the current six ministers are Wang Shu, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.”

“Liu Jian, Minister of the Ministry of Rites.”

“Xu Pu, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.”

“Jia Jun, Minister of the Ministry of Works.”

“Zhang Ying, Minister of the Ministry of Justice.”

“Ma Wensheng, Minister of the Ministry of War.”

Zhu Youcheng felt something was wrong: “This time, a total of four ministers resigned. Why didn’t Zhang Ying and Ma Wensheng resign?”

Zhu Youcheng didn’t know Zhang Ying, but Ma Wensheng was investigated by Wang Zhi and demoted to Yuzhou Guard.

Now that the West Depot has reopened, it is impossible for Ma Wensheng not to object.

Liu Jian stammered: “Zhang Ying is seriously ill and has been ill at home for some time, not attending court.”

“As for Ma Wensheng...he is not in the capital.”

“What?!”

Zhu Youcheng suddenly stood up: “朕’s Minister of the Ministry of War is not in the capital?”

“The Minister of the Ministry of War left the capital without authorization. What does he want to do?!”

“Where is Ma Wensheng now?!”

Ma Wensheng is now in Datong, and he has already seen the city walls of Datong Prefecture.