Chapter 82: If Not Allies, Then Enemies

In April, the court decided to form a tribunal composed of Minister of Justice Wang Ji, Left Deputy Censor Zou Yuanbiao, and Chief Justice Zhou Yingqiu to jointly try the cases of Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen. On the night of the initial trial, Wei Zhongxian submitted a record of the proceedings to Emperor Zhu Youxiao, which was documented by the Eastern Depot’s supervising officers.

The first to be examined was Xiong Tingbi. He knelt before the three judges, then immediately stood and declared, “I recently returned from the fields to resume my post as a military strategist. It was originally planned for me to be stationed at Shanhaiguan, and there was no decision whatsoever to station me at Guangning. The loss of Guangning is the fault of Wang Huazhen!”

Left Deputy Censor Zou Yuanbiao sharply retorted, “It has long been said: when territory is lost and cities fall, the merits and faults are inseparable. Do you still seek to shirk responsibility?” Since this was the emperor’s decree, Xiong Tingbi found no ground to argue.

Xiong then protested the legitimacy of the interrogation, but Zou Yuanbiao continued, “The official orders repeatedly state ‘interrogate,’ and even say ‘confirm inquiry.’ Yet you refuse to comply! Today you must enter the Ministry of Justice’s custody. Right and wrong will be clear, and you cannot resist imperial orders.”

Xiong Tingbi was dissatisfied and argued, “I was ordered to ‘hear inquiries,’ not ‘be sent for interrogation.’ It is clearly written; how can you imprison me?”

After prolonged debate, Minister of Justice Wang Ji intervened, saying, “If you refuse to enter the Ministry of Justice, then the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander will accompany you to stay temporarily at the Tianxian Temple for one day. We will report to His Majesty for a ruling.”

Unable to resist, Xiong Tingbi consented and petitioned the emperor to issue an arrest warrant.

After concluding Xiong’s hearing, both Zou Yuanbiao and Wang Ji politely requested, “Please summon Governor Wang.”

Upon entering the main hall, Wang Huazhen fell to his knees, sobbing bitterly. “Only I know my suffering—it is beyond words!” He then took a letter from his sleeve and handed it over.

Zou Yuanbiao and Wang Ji said, “You must admit your faults. There will surely be a day when you return to court.” After offering some consolation, they refrained from extensive questioning, stood up, bowed, and dismissed Wang Huazhen.

Zhu Youxiao asked, “Why do Zou Yuanbiao and Wang Ji treat these two men so differently? And why does Zhou Yingqiu remain silent?”

Wei Zhongxian answered carefully, “Your Majesty, both Zou Yuanbiao and Wang Ji belong to the Donglin faction. Xiong Tingbi is aligned with the Chu faction, while Wang Huazhen is also Donglin and a disciple of Scholar Ye. Zhou Yingqiu is not Donglin, so his voice carries little weight.”

The emperor smiled, understanding at last. It seemed his previous information had been mistaken. The Donglin faction was not entirely loyal and impartial; they clearly favored their own and suppressed their opponents. He said, “How dare the Donglin faction so brazenly favor their own and attack members of other factions?”

“I have heard someone say that Left Guangdou of the Donglin faction once declared: ‘Those not of the same path are enemies.’”

“Ha! Interesting. ‘Those not of the same path are enemies.’ It appears the Donglin faction seeks sole dominance. One-party dictatorship must never be allowed. You will investigate and report the faction affiliations of every minister in court. I intend to promote multi-party cooperation and will not tolerate any single-party monopoly.”

Though Wei Zhongxian did not fully grasp the emperor’s full intent, he understood his own task clearly. After bowing and withdrawing, he immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the political affiliations among the court ministers to report back to the emperor.

Pondering Left Guangdou’s famous saying, Zhu Youxiao summoned Wang Tiqian and inquired, “Check who passed the imperial examinations earlier: Xu Guangqi or Sun Chengzong.”

Wang Tiqian bowed and replied, “Your Majesty, I recall both passed the imperial exams in the thirty-second year of the Wanli reign.”

The emperor was surprised, “You remember exactly when every official passed the exams? That’s remarkable.”

Wang Tiqian shook his head, “I have merely compiled records for officials ranked fourth grade and above, for Your Majesty’s convenience.”

The emperor said, “Both passed in the same year, yet I recall Xu Guangqi always held higher office than Sun Chengzong. Why did I face opposition when promoting Xu Guangqi to Minister of the Cabinet, while no one opposed Sun Chengzong’s appointment?”

Wang Tiqian lowered his head, hesitant, “Your Majesty, I dare not say.”

“Speak freely, you are not at fault.”

Wang Tiqian answered, “I believe most cabinet members belong to the Donglin faction, and many officials, especially remonstrators, are Donglin as well. Mr. Xu, however, is not Donglin.”

The emperor reflected and smiled. “Wang Tiqian, who else is in your family?”

Wang Tiqian knelt deeply, “Your Majesty, my parents passed away early. I have one elder brother, one younger brother, as well as nephews and nieces.”

“Have you ever considered adopting a nephew to carry on your lineage?”

Wang Tiqian kowtowed repeatedly, “Your Majesty, I dream of it every night.” Since eunuchs cannot have children, many chief eunuchs adopt sons to continue their family lines. In the Ming dynasty, eunuchs required imperial permission to adopt, though some did so secretly without recognition.

“Very well. Your service is commendable. I grant you permission to adopt one nephew as your heir to continue your lineage.”

Wang Tiqian trembled with emotion, but to maintain decorum before the emperor, he waited until far from the study chamber before breaking into tears. Yet beneath the sorrow, his tears betrayed an unmistakable joy.