Yu Xin, the Minister of Revenue, and An Tong, the Minister of Justice, are currently in charge of the Ministry of Rites, which is now managed by Ren Hengtai. Zhu Xiong Ying thought for a moment and then summoned Shen Jin, the Minister of War. Shen Jin had previously served as the Minister of War and was responsible for drafting the regulations on the hereditary succession of garrisons and the replenishment of troops in the early Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Xiong Ying summoned four of the six ministers. Although Ren Hengtai and Shen Jin were not ministers by official titles, what they were doing was exactly what a minister should do.

Xu Yungong, Chang Mao, Li Jinglong, Geng Bingwen, Cao Zhen, and other dukes and marquises were also summoned to the Wenhua Hall by Zhu Xiong Ying.

The Five Military Commissions of the Ming Dynasty wielded considerable power. Each commissioner was responsible not only for managing the training and production of the military garrisons but also for participating in the central government's military decision-making. However, according to Emperor Zhu's edicts, the Ministry of War had no authority to interfere in the affairs of the Five Military Commissions.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying didn't need to worry about such things, and the Left and Right Commanders of the Five Military Commissions were not ignorant. These nobles naturally knew who to be loyal to, and they also knew which group of nobles should align themselves with.

While it cannot be said that Zhu Xiong Ying has gained the support of all the noble families, the vast majority of them are naturally inclined to support him. The most powerful factions within the noble families also have inextricable ties with Zhu Xiong Ying.

An Tong became quite impassioned at this point, recounting some of the horrific tortures inflicted in the imperial prison. Even Zhu Xiong Ying couldn't help but frown, and summoned the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and the Left and Right Censors-in-Chief of the Censorate.

Looking at Xu Yungong, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Duke of Wei, I order you to attend the trial. The Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate will conduct a joint trial to thoroughly investigate the cases of accusations made by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in recent years, and to thoroughly investigate the excessive use of torture by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhu Xiong Ying seemed genuinely enraged; he was determined to teach the Embroidered Uniform Guard a lesson, or even dismantle it completely.

Just as the joint trial by the three judicial departments was about to take place, the emperor issued an imperial edict that Prince Ning, Zhu Quan, would also attend the trial. This suggests that it wasn't just the Crown Prince's dissatisfaction with the Jinyiwei's arrogance; His Majesty the Emperor was beginning to re-evaluate the Jinyiwei at this juncture.

After these people left, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately summoned Song Zhong, who could be considered Zhu Xiong Ying's spokesperson within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Sweating profusely, Song Zhong lay prostrate on the ground. He knew the Embroidered Uniform Guard was on the brink of death, and he knew his career could be ruined at any moment. And it might not just be his career that was ruined, but also his life.

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't try to be mysterious and said directly, "You understand the principle of cutting off one's own wings and tail to survive, right?"

Song Zhong was overjoyed. The Crown Prince's words could be considered a pardon, or rather, a way of letting him take some people with him.

Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard has indeed acted erratically and committed many illegal acts in recent years. Do you remember how I instructed you a few years ago?"

"Your Highness, I have never interfered in cases these past years," Song Zhong hurriedly replied, also expressing his loyalty at this moment. "I have not competed for power with the Commander these past years, but have only observed from the sidelines."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and said with a smile, "Oh? If you're just going to watch, then why should I let you go over there? I can just put a clay Buddha statue over there."

Song Zhong broke out in a cold sweat again, mainly because his answer had clearly displeased the Crown Prince. His current situation was already rather awkward; if he tried to be clever at this point, not only would he not gain any benefit from currying favor, but he might even be alienated and disliked by the Crown Prince.

"This won't do," Song Zhong said, still trying to struggle. "Your Highness, I have been constantly screening people over the years. There are indeed some illegal activities and some madmen in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but the majority are loyal ministers who are devoted to the emperor."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard, this is the Emperor's personal guard," Zhu Xiong Ying said to Song Zhong. "The first thing to do is to be loyal, then everything else!"

It's no wonder Zhu Xiong Ying made such a statement. The Jinyiwei (Imperial Bodyguard) was such a special organization that if there were any acts of disloyalty, it would be a huge hidden danger for the Ming Dynasty and the emperor, which was unacceptable.

After glancing at Song Zhong, Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "Make a list of the most heinous criminals. Also, make a list of those who are loyal to the emperor and have outstanding abilities."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard definitely needs to be purged, but Zhu Xiong Ying still needs to preserve some of its power. He will need to make good use of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the future, so he can't go on a killing spree at this time. He needs some special talents.

Song Zhong knew he had little choice now; it seemed he was about to betray some of his colleagues. Of course, from another perspective, he now had a chance to protect them, since the Embroidered Uniform Guard looked rather precarious.

There was no choice; this was Song Zhong's current situation. However, as a member of the imperial guard, he truly had no say in the matter. His status and power were bestowed upon him by his superiors, and he only needed to play the role of a lackey and henchman.

Remembering something, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Find a reliable person, someone with good judgment, and hand him over to Wang Cheng En."

Song Zhong had no objection to this. Back in Beiping, he knew that the Crown Prince had a group of people under his command who were independent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and were known as the Eastern Depot, which operated almost exactly like the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

It is now quite clear that the Crown Prince intends to replace some of the Embroidered Uniform Guards with members of the Eastern Depot while suppressing the Embroidered Uniform Guards. The Embroidered Uniform Guards may not be as powerful as before, but that doesn't mean their surveillance of the court and officials has diminished.

With one Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) fallen, the Eastern Depot (Eastern Depot) might just rise again. Moreover, according to the Crown Prince's wishes, the Jinyiwei might only suffer some losses this time, not necessarily serious damage, and they might soon reappear in the court in all their might.

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