Zhu Yunying took a nap for about half an hour, which seemed like a short time, but it wasn't insignificant either. After waking up, Zhu Yunying felt much more refreshed. Even though he knew he hadn't been particularly tired lately, he did need to rest a bit.
Seeing Zhu Yunying still fast asleep, Zhu Yunying said softly, "The Prince of Wu did a good job this time. When he returns, he will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver. We remember that Geng'er likes to play, so let's bring him some things back, such as a new dress and a royal horse."
Wang Chengen naturally took note of it. Leaving aside the fact that His Majesty already favored the Prince of Wu, the Prince of Wu's advice to His Majesty to rest was also a meritorious act. Therefore, in Wang Chengen's view, these rewards were even more justified.
Wang Chengen whispered, "Your Majesty, should we bestow a set of jewelry upon Princess Wu?"
Zhu Yunying thought for a moment, after all, he was the older brother, "We almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it, let's give her a set of jewelry."
Wang Chengen wasn't surprised at all; in fact, all the Zhu family members were the same. Whether it was the Hongwu Emperor or the posthumously honored Xiaokang Emperor, they were all exactly the same. The Princess Consort of Wu, though seemingly the wife of the Prince of Wu, was only considered half a family member in the eyes of the head of the Zhu family, even if they had a good relationship.
Actually, the King of Wu might not have been lacking in jewelry; it was just that the pieces bestowed upon him by the palace were, of course, imperial-made. Even if the specifications were somewhat lower, it was clear to anyone with discerning eyes that the jewelry came from the right source.
Like Zhu Yunwen, his clothes sometimes didn't appear to be the most expensive. However, everything he wore was a gift from the emperor, and some people even felt that the Prince of Wu's residence had some items that exceeded the permitted standards. But there was nothing they could do; they were all bestowed by the emperor, so there was no problem with that.
As Zhu Yunying continued preparing for his work, he remembered something and said, "Summon Jiang Huan to the palace."
Zhu Yunying was somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Huan, the head of the Eastern Depot. Although Jiang Huan seemed capable and had essentially built up the Eastern Depot's core, limiting and weakening the Embroidered Uniform Guard to some extent, Zhu Yunying's demands went beyond simply restricting the Embroidered Uniform Guard; he needed the Eastern Depot to be effective.
But the Eastern Depot was in a strange state. While the civil and military officials were starting to show interest in brothels and pleasure boats, the Eastern Depot hadn't received much news. It was even necessary for His Highness Prince Wu, who was traveling incognito, to bring back the information, which greatly displeased Zhu Yunying.
Wang Chengen felt no guilt whatsoever, since he wasn't currently in charge of the Eastern Depot. He wasn't interested in becoming the head of the Eastern Depot, but he knew how much the Emperor valued it. It seemed that this time, Jiang Huan had truly failed in his duties.
Isn't this obvious? This should have been handled by the Eastern Depot, but now it's being done by the Prince of Wu. Knowing the emperor as Wang Chengen does, it would be strange if Jiang Huan didn't get reprimanded; he might even get a little scolding.
While Zhu Yunying was reviewing memorials, Jiang Huan, who had been summoned, entered the Wuying Hall and said, "Your subject Jiang Huan greets Your Majesty."
Zhu Yunying didn't look up or speak, but continued reviewing the memorials. This made Jiang Huan seem to understand something. He also wanted to try to find out some things about the emperor's inner circle, but even as the head of the Eastern Depot, he knew what he couldn't do. Spying on the emperor was a death sentence.
There must have been something that displeased the emperor, which is why he completely ignored it.
Now, Jiang Huan felt like a 'disgraced official.' His mind raced, trying to figure out what he had done well recently. He also felt it was a pity that Wang Chengen had leaked even a little bit of information beforehand; they could have found a way to deal with it.
Kneeling on the ground, Jiang Huan felt each day drag on endlessly, and he was now filled with trepidation. He knew very well that the person sitting on the dragon throne was never a merciful figure.
Especially those in positions like theirs, who seem to hold high positions and great power, are also the most vulnerable to being discarded after their usefulness is over.
Mao Xiang was once so glorious, but in the end he still died in Japan. Those who know the truth understand that Mao Xiang was not killed, but in his last few years, wasn't Mao Xiang also exiled, only able to protect his family by "making amends for his crimes"?
As the second commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard after Mao Xiang, he was immediately replaced by Song Zhong, whom he had previously looked down upon, simply because Emperor Xiaokang was absent. If it weren't for his abilities and the need to establish the Eastern Depot, he might have been sidelined long ago, or even silenced to protect some secrets.
Zhu Yunying slowly raised his head and said, "The Eastern Depot is supposed to be in charge of investigating injustices and illegal activities by officials in all government offices in the capital, as well as rumors. Many officials have said that I like the Eastern Depot and the Eastern Depot. When did the emperor's eyes and ears, the emperor's hounds, become the protectors of all officials? When did our Eastern Depot and the Eastern Depot start to deceive me?!"
Jiang Huan was terrified and quickly protested, "Your Majesty, I dare not!"
"Dare not?" Zhu Yunying sneered and said, "Then tell me, my dear minister, what is the Eastern Depot doing now? Who did my six ministers meet today? What are the arrangements for our nine ministers after they finish their duties? And tell me, have any third-rank officials in the capital taken wives or concubines recently? Have any of them gone to brothels or pleasure boats for a night of passion?"
Jiang Huan was taken aback. The things the emperor was asking about were indeed indeed the responsibility of the Eastern Depot. In fact, these were things that the Embroidered Uniform Guard used to handle.
However, when His Majesty established the Eastern Depot, he weakened some of the powers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, leaving one in the capital and the other in the field. This "inside" role not only involved the Embroidered Uniform Guard being responsible for spying on the military and civilian affairs of the surrounding vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, but also included local officials who were not in the capital.
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