Chapter 48: The Complete Annihilation of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Imperial Stables Bureau
“Your humble servant acknowledges the imperial decree!”
Wang Cheng’en and Fang Zhenghua departed, accompanied by a captain under Li Ruolian, hastening toward the location of the Twenty-Four Bureaus in the northeastern corner of the palace.
The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs stood at the very center of the Twenty-Four Bureaus. Half of the hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards swiftly surrounded the main hall of the Directorate.
“This is the sacred ground of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs. No one outside this Directorate is permitted entry!”
Just as they reached the entrance, two eunuchs barred their way.
Fang Zhenghua snorted coldly, his figure flashing forward like lightning. With a flying kick, the two eunuchs were sent sprawling.
Before they could rise, two Embroidered Uniform Guards leapt out, long blades pressed against their necks.
“Wang Cheng’en, what are you attempting? This is the Directorate’s precinct. Trespassing here is a grave crime punishable by extermination of nine generations. Even His Majesty cannot save you!”
“Move again, and you’ll be killed on the spot!”
Wang Cheng’en cast a glance and strode toward the Directorate.
Just as he crossed the threshold, Wang Tiqian, alerted by the commotion, emerged with his men. Seeing the scene before him, fury instantly consumed him.
“Release him!”
Wang Cheng’en sneered coldly. “By imperial edict: Wang Tiqian, the Directorate’s chief eunuch, is deceitful and treacherous, aligned with the eunuch faction, framing the loyal and upright. He is to be imprisoned in the imperial dungeon. So decreed!”
“Wang Cheng’en, how dare you forge the emperor’s mandate? Do you wish to die miserably?”
“Whether this decree is forged or genuine, His Majesty will know the truth. Cease your shouting here! Seize him!”
Two Embroidered Uniform Guards stepped forward and pinned Wang Tiqian to the ground.
“Li Yongzhen, the Directorate’s secretary eunuch, arrogant and greedy, has embezzled over six hundred thousand taels of silver and five hundred hectares of fertile land… Imprison him in the imperial dungeon. So decreed.”
…
In just a quarter of an hour, thirty-six people including chief eunuchs, clerks, attendants, supervisors, clerks, and deputy supervisors under the Directorate were apprehended.
Each was tightly bound and strung together on a rope.
After arresting everyone on the list, Wang Cheng’en entered the Directorate, retrieved the imperial seals and other items, and had several blank imperial edicts brought in.
“All others, without permission, are forbidden from entering or leaving the Directorate. Any violation will be met with execution!”
The commotion naturally alarmed officials from the surrounding bureaus. Wang Cheng’en glanced at those peeking nervously at the entrance.
“All personnel from the other bureaus must immediately return to their respective offices. No one is to leave without authorization, nor spread any news of these events!”
At once, the crowd dispersed like startled birds, and silence quickly returned to the DirectorateI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.