Cao Dongsheng took Zhan Yunpeng to the inner treasury to exchange for guard uniforms. Don't think it's easy for the emperor to arbitrarily appoint a sword-bearing guard in front of the emperor. It won't work just because of the emperor's words.
It is true that the emperor's power is supreme, but that does not mean he can do whatever he wants. In any dynasty, the emperor's power is not unlimited and has its limits. Exceeding these limits can easily lead to rebellion and conspiracy.
Being a Royal Guard brings your family the highest honor. Any Royal Guard, especially one carrying a sword, will be examined for any bad records. Those whose ancestors have made contributions to the Song Dynasty will be given priority. They will also visit your home, have your neighbors evaluate your character, and take an exam. Finally, after undergoing various tedious assessments, you will truly become a qualified Royal Guard.
Zhao Huan, for example, could not just randomly summon a quack of unknown origin to serve as a guard in front of the emperor, especially one bearing a sword. This required special approval from the emperor and the approval of the Privy Council. So Zhao Huan had no choice but to issue a handwritten decree, affixed with the imperial seal, and then obtain the Privy Council's seal. Then, he had to register with the Imperial Guards and Infantry Commander-in-Chief, and then seek the official in charge of clothing to claim his uniform. Only then could Zhan Yunpeng become a true guard in front of the emperor.
The problem arose when Cao Dongsheng went to the Privy Council to get the imperial edict stamped. The Privy Councilor Cai You rejected the request on the grounds that Zhan Yunpeng's background was unknown and his family identity could not be verified.
Zhao Huan and Wu Ge were talking about the imperial guards guarding the border. Zhao Huan found that Wu Ge, the commander-in-chief, knew all about the imperial guards' practices of taking empty salaries and accepting bribes, and he couldn't help but become very interested.
Wu Ge said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards are seriously plagued by the phenomenon of unpaid salaries. These commanders often falsify headcounts and pocket the unpaid salaries. There are also numerous hidden benefits. You are like that Imperial Guards commander, Qian Tong. From what I know, he owns eight mansions in the capital and a commercial street."
"What? A whole commercial street?" Zhao Huan was shocked. Eight luxury homes were secondary. He knew how profitable this commercial street was.
"Where did this bastard Qian Tong get so much money?" Zhao Huan couldn't help but get angry.
"He made a lot of money, Your Majesty. The selection of imperial guards from various places to come to the capital requires the approval of Commander Qian. Imagine how much money he has. There's a children's rhyme that goes, 'To join the army in the capital to protect the emperor, first give silver to Lord Qian.' That's what he's talking about."
Zhao Huan was secretly horrified. Our Great Song Dynasty has never been weak. It's these parasites like Qian Tong that have rotted it. If there were more men like Li Gang, Yue Fei, or even Zhan Yunpeng, our Great Song Dynasty would be as strong as a rock. It's all because of these corrupt officials in power. No wonder Zhan Yunpeng refused to serve in the army again. Our Great Song Dynasty is truly rotten to the core. It seems that drastic measures are needed to deal with this end.
"Wu Ge, tell me the truth. Have you been greedy?" Zhao Huan looked at him coldly.
Wu Ge knelt with sweat dripping down his forehead. He wiped his sweat with his sleeve and knelt on the ground: "I deserve to die. I was a little greedy, but it's nothing compared to what Qian Tong and others got."
Zhao Huan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Wu Ge claimed to be completely innocent, then he was unfit for important positions. He had checked the records and found that Wu Ge had risen from a small soldier to the position of Imperial Guard Commander. In the corrupt Song Dynasty, it was impossible for him to reach the position of Imperial Guard Commander if he claimed to be completely innocent of corruption and bribery.
Zhao Huan said, "Okay, Wu Ge. No matter how much you've embezzled before, I won't blame you. From today on, if you dare to embezzle even a tael of silver again, I'll have your head."
The emperor's words proved that he had spared him, and Wu Ge was overjoyed. He knelt on the ground and shouted "Long live the emperor!"
Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "Wu Ge, you can escape death, but you can't escape punishment for your crimes. I will spare you, but I will give you a chance to atone for your sins."
"As long as the emperor has an order, Wu Ge will do it without hesitation." Wu Ge had said this to others countless times, but this time he was sincere.
"Alright." Zhao Huan said with satisfaction, "I'll give you a handwritten note. No, an imperial edict. Take this imperial edict and thoroughly investigate Qian Tong. Find out how much property he has. If you find him breaking the law, arrest him immediately and throw him into the Heavenly Prison."
Wu Ge was overjoyed. Qian Tong had always been his political enemy. He had always been suppressed by him, but now with the emperor's decree, it was time to show off. He said, "Your Majesty, I have evidence of Qian Tong's bribery. However, we still need to thoroughly investigate his land holdings."
"Oh?" Zhao Huan pondered for a moment. "Then arrest Qian Tong and put him in jail first. Then I'll conduct an investigation."
"I obey the decree."
Zhao Huan was talking with Wu Ge when Cao Dongsheng came back dejectedly with Zhan Yunpeng.
Zhao Huan saw that Zhan Yunpeng was still wearing his blue cloth and frowned. "Dongsheng, I asked you to change Zhan Yunpeng into the clothes of an imperial guard. Where are the clothes?"
"Your Majesty, I went to the Privy Council. It happened to be Privy Councilor Cai You who was on duty. He said that the person Your Majesty brought with him had unknown origins. For the sake of Your Majesty's safety, the Privy Council had the right to reject the request. Therefore, they refused to stamp their seal."
Zhao Huan slammed the table in anger. He stood up and burst out with vulgar language: "Fuck Cai You! Didn't I just crush his father Cai Jing, the bastard, to death? This grandson is seeking revenge for his personal grudge and dared to disobey my order. Wu Ge, go and take people to arrest Cai You."
Cao Dongsheng was very puzzled. Before he ascended the throne, the emperor was gentle and refined, with a kind and gentle temperament. How could he have completely changed after ascending the throne, even using vulgar language and crude language? He no longer had the image of an emperor.
Wu Ge looked embarrassed: "Your Majesty, what is the charge?"
"What crime? Isn't it a serious crime to disobey the imperial order?" Zhao Huan threw his sleeves in anger.
Wu Ge said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid Cai You is right. This is inconsistent with the calendar of the Song Dynasty and also violates the ancestral system. If you arrest Cai You based on this, I'm afraid it will cause dissatisfaction among the officials."
Zhao Huan was furious: "Cao Dongsheng, go get Wang Zongchu."
"As you wish." Cao Dongsheng lowered his head and walked out of the hall.
Zhao Huan was still furious. Cai You had a valid reason. For the safety of the emperor and his harem, he didn't want a man of unknown origin to serve as a royal guard. If he were to cause trouble for Cai You for this reason, he'd probably draw the wrath of scholars everywhere.
Wu Ge and Zhan Yunpeng were terrified and speechless. After a while, Zhan Yunpeng said, "Your Majesty, I used to think that being an emperor allowed me to do whatever I wanted. It seems I misunderstood you. You are a good emperor. Thanks to your grace, I do not have to be a royal guard. I am willing to serve in the army, be a humble soldier, and serve the Song Dynasty."
"No!" Zhao Huan's stubborn temper came up: "Today I must make you my imperial guard!"
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