Chapter 69 I know I was wrong, please spare my dog's life! ...

As dawn broke, Wei Zhongxian appeared in the office of the officials in Songyang County, following a beam of white light.

That's truly divine intervention.

In the blink of an eye, the world had completely changed.

Wei Zhongxian looked up at the sky, because what he saw when he looked up from inside the office was not the sky, but the roof.

The architecture here is somewhat outdated compared to that of the Ming Dynasty.

Is this where the gods live?

That's far too rudimentary.

Wei Zhongxian thought this to himself, but he didn't show it on his face at all. If a god had such abilities, killing a mere eunuch like him would be a piece of cake.

Only after turning their gaze away from the roof did they notice the presence of other people inside the official residence.

Two burly men were sizing up Wei Zhongxian. One had a face as red as a jujube and a bushy beard; the other had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a calm demeanor. Even more strangely, two exquisitely beautiful children, about seven or eight years old, stood beside them.

It was Yuchi Jingde, Qin Shubao, Li Chengqian, and Li Tai. Li Shimin saw that Magistrate Jiang did not object to taking the children to work, so he naturally continued, since the opportunity to have Zhuge Liang teach the children was not common.

When Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao saw Wei Zhongxian appear, although they could tell he was a eunuch, they simply assumed he was a hero from some dynasty.

I never would have guessed that this person was so infamous.

Originally, Yuchi Jingde had some prejudice against eunuchs, but after Zheng He, all his prejudice disappeared and he even had more respect for him. Zheng He can be considered the person who made the greatest contribution to the entire Songyang County.

I'm busy every day.

He was an upright person, and his integrity was not overshadowed by the fact that he was a eunuch.

Because of Zheng He, Yuchi Jingde gave Wei Zhongxian a smile and asked, "Who are you? What dynasty are you from?"

They only know about the Ming Dynasty now, but they don't know what dynasty came after it. Surely the Ming Dynasty couldn't have lasted for thousands of years and unified the country?

That's probably what Lao Zhu was thinking.

Hehehe.

He still dreams that the Zhu family will remain emperors forever.

Wei Zhongxian quickly realized that these were all colleagues he would be dealing with in the future, so he should treat them with courtesy.

You can't hit someone who's smiling.

Wei Zhongxian's mind raced, but his face was plastered with utmost respect. He bowed slightly and said in his distinctive high-pitched voice, "I am Wei Zhongxian, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial of the Ming Dynasty. May I ask how you two gentlemen are addressed?"

She raised her orchid finger, making no attempt to conceal it.

Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao exchanged a surprised glance. Yuchi Jingde stroked his beard and chuckled gruffly, "Hey! Another eunuch from the Ming Dynasty? Your Ming Dynasty certainly has a lot of talented eunuchs!" He then nudged Qin Shubao with his elbow, "Old Qin, does our Tang Dynasty have such a famous eunuch?"

Qin Shubao shook his head calmly, but a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes. He carefully examined the sinister-looking old eunuch in front of him, noticing that although the man had a smile on his face, his eyes were shifty, like an old fox ready to pounce at any moment.

This person is not as upright as Zheng He.

Wei Zhongxian was extremely astute and immediately noticed the change in their expressions. He bowed even lower and forced the most humble smile onto his face: "You two are joking. I am but a servant who serves my master, how dare I claim to be a 'talented person'?"

Originally, Wei Zhongxian was only being treated kindly because of Zheng He's reputation. Upon learning that they were from the same dynasty, Yuchi Jingde became even more good-natured and introduced himself: "I am Yuchi Jingde of the Great Tang Dynasty, and he is Qin Shubao."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian's pupils contracted sharply. Although he was a eunuch, he had read some history books and naturally knew what kind of people these two were.

"So it's you two Dukes!" He quickly bowed and greeted them, his voice tinged with a hint of fear. "It is truly an honor for me to meet such a renowned general of the Tang Dynasty today."

Wei Zhongxian, who rose through the ranks from the palace to the rank of Ninth Thousand Years, could easily curry favor with anyone he wanted.

Seeing his respectful attitude, Qin Shubao doubted that he was overthinking things and couldn't help but laugh and say, "Eunuch Wei, there's no need for such formalities. In Songyang County, we all serve Magistrate Jiang, so there's no need to distinguish between dukes and eunuchs."

We're all colleagues, so there's no need to worry about these things.

As they were talking, another white light appeared. The three of them were wondering who the newcomer was when the white light dissipated, revealing that the person inside was Zheng He.

Before Zheng He could react, Yuchi Jingde happily introduced him: "Sanbao, we have a newcomer today, also from your dynasty, what's his name again?"

When the name was on the tip of his tongue, Yuchi Jingde forgot it, only remembering that he was a eunuch.

"Wei Zhongxian," Qin Shubao added, unable to bear it any longer.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zheng He's eyes flashed like lightning as he stared intently at Wei Zhongxian, gritting his teeth as he said:

"Wei Zhongxian?!"

He remembered this man. Not only had he watched the TV series, but Zhu Yuanzhang also publicized Wei Zhongxian's deeds to all the princes, telling them to stay away from eunuchs and not to trust them.

Because of Wei Zhongxian, countless upright eunuchs lost their chance to rise in rank.

Wei Zhongxian turned around and was immediately struck dumb. He never expected to encounter Zheng He here, the legendary eunuch who had led seven voyages to the Western Ocean. What alarmed him even more was the distinct...anger in Zheng He's eyes?

"Lord Zheng... Lord Zheng?" Wei Zhongxian's voice trembled involuntarily. "What are you doing here?"

Cold sweat beaded on Wei Zhongxian's forehead. He knew all too well what kind of reputation he held in the Ming Dynasty; if these people knew what he had done...

If the founding emperor found out…

Upon realizing this, Wei Zhongxian immediately slid to his knees.

This kneeling startled everyone. Yuchi Jingde frowned and said, "Eunuch Wei, what are you doing? Get up and speak quickly."

Zheng He strode forward, each step feeling like a blow to Wei Zhongxian's heart. He looked down at the eunuch leader who had brought disaster to the country, his voice as cold as ice: "Wei Zhongxian, now that you are here, I will certainly report this matter to the Emperor and let him handle it."

He had watched the TV series a few times, and Wei Zhongxian in it acted like a complete villain, causing unrest in the court and unrest among the people. It was a pleasure to get rid of such a person.

Not only was His Majesty angry, but he, also a eunuch, was also furious. It was already difficult for a eunuch to make a name for himself, and with someone like Wei Zhongxian around, later emperors would definitely be more wary of eunuchs.

The more I think about it, the more upset I become.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao immediately stepped forward. Qin Shubao calmly positioned himself between the two, saying steadily, "Lord Zheng, this is the Songyang County government office..."

We mustn't make a move; it would be bad if we offended Magistrate Jiang.

Zheng He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He turned to the two renowned Tang generals, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Generals, please forgive me. But this man..." He pointed to the trembling Wei Zhongxian, "during the Ming Dynasty, he formed cliques, persecuted loyal officials, and countless upright men died at his hands!"

Wei Zhongxian fell to his knees again with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Lord Zheng, please see the truth! I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!" He raised his old face, which was streaked with tears, and said in a shrill voice, "Please, give me a way out! You can't tell the Emperor Taizu!"

If it were only Zheng He, he wouldn't be afraid at all, but if it were the founding emperor, just thinking about the torture of skinning and stuffing straw into his clothes and the combing and washing would make him unable to stand.

The crying became even more genuine.

Yuchi Jingde frowned. Although he was a forthright man, he couldn't stand such a servile attitude. "Wipe away your tears. A real man sheds blood and sweat, not tears!"

A real man?!

Wei Zhongxian: Are you talking about me?

He's been getting amputations for half his life, and he still calls himself a man...

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian clung to Zheng He's leg and cried even harder: "Grand Ancestor, Grand Ancestor! I know I was wrong! Please, for the sake of us both being palace officials, spare my dog's life!"

I can't tell!

Besides Emperor Taizu, there was also Emperor Yongle. These two could devour him alive. Thinking of this, Wei Zhongxian wept bitterly.

However, Zheng He was not buying it at all and tried to shake him off, but he clung to him tightly and he couldn't shake him off at all.

While the two were struggling, the others gradually arrived.

Zhuge Liang, dressed in a robe and turban, arrived gracefully. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he examined the tearful, snotty mess on the ground, and he lightly waved his fan, asking, "What is this...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yu, dressed in white robes and jade belt, frowned upon seeing this scene: "Brother Sanbao, what's going on here?" As he spoke, his gaze swept over Wei Zhongxian's tear-streaked old face, and he took a half step back in disgust.

How could something like this happen so early in the morning?

Huo Qubing, standing to the side, looked down at the two entangled figures on the ground and raised an eyebrow: "Lord Zheng, do you need any help?" As he spoke, he had already placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist. Xiao Liu was pulled behind him, but he still didn't forget to stick his head out to peek.

Zheng He sighed and kicked Wei Zhongxian three zhang away. The eunuch tumbled like a gourd and crashed into Zhou Yu's feet. Zhou Yu immediately dodged to the side, his robes fluttering and carrying a whiff of cold fragrance.

"You all flatter me," Zheng He straightened his clothes and said in a deep voice, "This is Wei Zhongxian, the eunuch of the Ming Dynasty in later generations, who seized power, disrupted the government, persecuted loyal officials, and even dared to call himself 'Nine Thousand Years'..."

"Nine Thousand Years?!" Huo Qubing suddenly burst into laughter, startling birds into flight. "A eunuch, does he even deserve it?" He walked straight forward and slammed his boot into Wei Zhongxian's hand, causing the latter to scream in agony like a pig being slaughtered.

He hated these treacherous officials who wreaked havoc on the court.

Zhuge Liang lightly tapped his feather fan, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Is this an imitation of the Ten Attendants of the late Han Dynasty?"

The Ten Attendants refers to a group of more than ten eunuchs, led by Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who controlled the imperial guards, sold official positions, and even had the power to depose and install officials. This ultimately led to the "Rebellion of the Ten Attendants," which resulted in Dong Zhuo's entry into the capital, the nominal collapse of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and widespread chaos.

Zheng He nodded: "Exactly."

Not only did they imitate him, but Wei Zhongxian surpassed the Ten Attendants by a great margin. They were a group of people who committed evil deeds, but there was only one Wei Zhongxian. Moreover, his purpose was not to cause chaos in the court, but to seize power.

Seeing Zheng He nod, he looked thoughtful.

This person is probably a great traitor.

This treacherous official is inconsistent with the people Magistrate Jiang recruited before. Previously, they were all loyal ministers or minor figures with integrity. So what is Magistrate Jiang's intention in recruiting Wei Zhongxian?

Zhou Yu snorted coldly: "Eunuchs are disrupting the government, bringing disaster to the country and the people. They deserve to die!"

The likes of the Ten Attendants should be executed by everyone.

Why waste any more breath arguing with him?

Hei Fu Kui Shun, who had originally intended to pull him away, stopped moving when he heard that Kui Shun was a treacherous minister. Kui Shun hated treacherous ministers to the core, and he believed that the death of one of them would be a blessing for the people, so he would not stop him.

Wei Zhongxian was in so much pain that he was covered in cold sweat. He was filled with despair and thought to himself, "It's all over. I'm afraid I'm going to die here today!"

However, just as everyone was glaring angrily, Jiang Ge's lazy voice suddenly rang out—

"Stop."

Everyone turned around and saw Jiang Ge wearing a loose-fitting official robe, with a few strands of hair sticking up slightly, clearly having just woken up. She rubbed her eyes as she walked in, her gaze sweeping over the disheveled Wei Zhongxian on the ground, then looking at the murderous crowd around her, and raised an eyebrow: "What happened?"

Zheng He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "My lord, this is Wei Zhongxian, the treacherous eunuch of the Ming Dynasty. He has brought disaster to the country and the people, and his crimes deserve to be punished!"

Keeping him alive would only bring disaster to the country and its people; it would be better to just kill him.

Huo Qubing sneered: "It would be better to just chop him up, so he won't be an eyesore."

Killing him required this man's consent, as if a dog had found its master. Wei Zhongxian hurriedly crawled to Jiang Ge's feet, crying out, "My lord! My lord, save me! I know I was wrong! I am willing to repent and start anew!"

Django looked down at him and suddenly smiled.

Unexpectedly, it really was Wei Zhongxian who came; it was exactly what I wanted.

She slowly squatted down, reached out and patted Wei Zhongxian's shoulder, her tone casual yet carrying an undeniable air: "Alright, stop shouting and killing. Now that you're in Songyang County, you're mine."

Everyone was taken aback. Zheng He frowned: "My lord, this person—"

Magistrate Jiang waved her hand, interrupting him: "I know what he's done." She looked at Wei Zhongxian, her eyes suddenly sharpening, "But here, I'm the one in charge."

Wei Zhongxian felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Do you know how you were originally supposed to die?

Wei Zhongxian's heart tightened, and he forced a fawning smile: "Your Excellency is too kind. My family is doing just fine..."

"In the seventh year of the Tianqi reign," Magistrate Jiang interrupted him, his voice as calm as if he were talking about the weather, "Zhu Youxiao passed away, and Prince Xin, Zhu Youjian, succeeded him. At that time, you held immense power in the court and were known as 'Nine Thousand Years Old,' and you even built many shrines in your honor."

Wei Zhongxian certainly knew about these things; he had even killed two censors before he arrived.

Wei Zhongxian's smile froze on his face, and cold sweat trickled down his temples.

"Emperor Chongzhen exiled you to Fengyang less than three months after his ascension to the throne." Magistrate Jiang turned around, looking directly into his eyes. "When you arrived in Fucheng, you heard that the court intended to punish you..."

Less than three months.

"No...impossible..." Wei Zhongxian's voice trembled, and his legs went weak.

The Ming Dynasty still needs him, and it still needs his money as military pay, so why would they kill him?

Magistrate Jiang stepped forward: "You hanged yourself in the inn, and your body was exhumed and subjected to slow slicing. Your cronies were all rounded up, an event known in history as 'Emperor Chongzhen's Elimination of Traitors'."

I don't know how many people applauded at the time, but from a macro perspective, Wei Zhongxian died too young. The country needs loyal ministers, but it also needs treacherous ministers.

Wei Zhongxian knelt down with a thud, his face ashen. Upon hearing the news of his death, his mind went completely blank. He had schemed for most of his life; how could he have died so easily?

"That's not all," Magistrate Jiang said, looking down at him. "Seventeen years later, Li Zicheng captured Beijing, and Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself on Coal Hill. And then..."

She bent down and said, word by word, "Wu Sangui led the Qing army into the pass, and the Ming Dynasty—fell."

Wei Zhongxian was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground. His mouth was open, but no sound came out; only hoarse gasps escaped his throat.

This is the first time Django has revealed the complete history to a historical figure. It turns out that after the Ming Dynasty came the Qing Dynasty, but what came after the Qing Dynasty?

The crowd's expressions were unreadable.

“Do you know why I’m telling you this?” Django straightened up. “I want you to understand that this is your last chance.”

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a long shadow of Wei Zhongxian. He trembled as he looked up and saw Jiang Ge standing backlit, and for a moment it seemed as if he were seeing a god of judgment.

Jiang Ge suddenly leaned close to his ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "However... if you dare to play any tricks here, I'll send you back to Zhu Yuanzhang."

Return it to the Emperor?

Wei Zhongxian's pupils contracted, and he instantly understood Jiang Ge's meaning—if he were sent back to the Ming Dynasty, he would face Zhu Yuanzhang's skinning and stuffing of straw, and the Yongle Emperor's thunderous wrath!

He shuddered, and cold sweat poured down his back.

Django straightened up and yawned lazily: "Alright, everyone disperse, go do whatever you need to do."

Although the crowd was unwilling, seeing Magistrate Jiang's resolute attitude, they could not say anything more and could only leave.

Only Wei Zhongxian remained kneeling in place, the light threat from Magistrate Jiang echoing in his mind.

Should we return it?

No, he absolutely cannot go back!

He clenched his fist tightly, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

—Since there's no way out, let's make a name for ourselves in Songyang County!

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Author's Note: Wei Zhongxian (Middle-aged Struggle Version): "I will work hard!"

All I can give you right now is a spoiler: Wei Zhongxian is a very useful character, extremely useful. [doge emoji]