"I am being wronged, Eunuch Ma, nubi really did not steal the Princess' jade bracelet. Someone is trying to harm me, Eunuch Ma!"
Outside the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, the pretty female official was lying on the bench. Four little eunuchs were pressing her hands and feet, while two little eunuchs, one on the left and the other on the right, were swinging the wooden planks on her plump buttocks.
Ma Yongcheng's face was ashen, his lips were pursed into a thin line. He was angry at Yang Ling for not giving him face, and he was also angry at this female official for having the audacity to steal the treasure bestowed by the late Emperor.
Originally, in the Palace, stealing things, at worst, would be punished with a wooden plank and then sent to do hard labor. But today, the Empress had just entered the Palace, and this matter had caused the Imperial Family to lose all face. In her fury, the Empress Dowager did not have the time to feel sorry for this maidservant who had served her for many years. She issued an imperial decree for Gu Daeyong to summon the little eunuchs to beat her to death.
As Ma Yongcheng carried out the punishment, he was thinking about how to save her. After much thought, only the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager would be softhearted and pardon her from the death penalty. But they were servants; when they were in favor, it was true that everything was good, but when they were out of favor, it was not their master's word that decided their life and death. He also had no way to plead with the Empress Dowager; he could only brace himself and suffer here, hoping that the Empress Dowager would change her mind, or that one of the Imperial Concubines or Princesses inside would come forward and plead for her.
The female official's flesh had been split open from the beating. Seeing Ma Yongcheng was standing there without making any noise, how could she know what was in Ma Yongcheng's mind? She thought that he wanted to kill her to shut her mouth. She could not refrain from crying and scolding, "Ma Yongcheng, do you really want to beat me to death? I will report you to the Empress Dowager, I will show my filial piety to you … "
Hearing to this point, Ma Yongcheng suddenly stepped forward, snatched the wooden board from the little eunuch's hand, swung it in a circle and with a 'hu' sound slapped it on the female official's ear, causing her head to tremble, a pool of purple-black blood slowly flowed out from her ear. The female official's eyes were wide open, she stared fixedly at Ma Yongcheng, her body trembled violently, slowly went limp on the bench, no longer making any sound.
An ominous glint appeared in Ma Yongcheng's eyes as he returned the wooden plank to the eunuch and coldly said, "Why are you still standing there like idiots? Quickly go and report to the Empress Dowager. That lowly servant girl who stole the treasures couldn't endure the punishment and died. Ask the Empress Dowager to be merciful and grant her a proper burial."
Yang Ling saw the ferocious expression on Ma Yongcheng's face. That cruel expression was completely different from his usual gentle and submissive demeanor. Yang Ling could not help but feel a chill in his heart. Ma Yongcheng's face was ashen as he looked at Yang Ling. Suppressing the thick hatred in his heart, Ma Yongcheng said, "Sir Yang, this lowly servant girl caused the Princess and the Empress to lose face. She deserved this punishment. Now that the mission is completed, let's go back and reply to the edict."
Even though this female official was cunning and malicious, her crime didn't warrant death. Now, it could be said that it was his rotten idea that harmed someone. Yang Ling felt uneasy and couldn't bear to look at the female corpse who had died with her eyes wide open. He couldn't help but silently follow Ma Yongcheng out of the rear palace.
When Zhengde heard that a thieving female official had been beaten to death, he didn't care at all. He had eaten wine and adding on the fact that he hadn't slept well for two consecutive nights, he was really tired. After talking for a while, he fell asleep.
Today's matter was a freak combination of factors. Yang Ling had originally wanted to punish that female official and have this evil servant receive her retribution. Who would have thought that she would be discovered today. The idea was his. In order to save the Princess, he had killed someone. Even though this person wasn't a good person, he still felt uneasy. At this time, he saw Ma Yongcheng standing by Zhengde's bed with a dark expression. Even though he didn't dare to vent his anger on him, it was clear that he was extremely resentful. He had no way to ease the tension between them and could only sigh lightly and silently walk out.
Gu Dayong quietly followed him out. Seeing him sitting alone, he moved closer and sat down next to him. He asked a question he already knew the answer to, "Yang daren, today His Majesty bestowed daren two beautiful concubines, such a favor, I don't know how many high-ranking officials in the court are envious, why is daren still so unhappy?"
Yang Ling let out a sigh and recounted the events that had transpired. Hearing this, Gu Daeyong couldn't help laughing. He disapprovingly said: "What does a servant girl's death matter? In the inner palace, there are many bad-tempered imperial concubines who beat their maids to death because of a small offense.
These snobbish maids rely on their ancestors' rules to bully their masters and offend their superiors. Those golden branches and jade leaves are oppressed until they don't dare to make a sound. I have often heard of it. Today's matter is unknown how many princesses are secretly clapping their hands and cheering. Sir Yang, why do you need to blame yourself? "
Yang Ling gave a bitter laugh. He couldn't say that he was the one who incited the two princesses to punish that female official. It was true that the female official bullied her master and stole, but she didn't have the guts to steal the imperial bestowed treasure.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Gu Daeyong glanced toward the inner hall. He lowered his voice and said: "However … daren should be careful about today's matter. I can see that Eunuch Ma's expression is very unhappy."
Yang Ling nodded his head and said: "I know that the female official and Eunuch Ma have a good relationship. Today's matter has indeed offended him."
Gu Daeyong sternly said: "More than offended? Sir Yang, Eunuch Ma has a vengeful personality. Moreover, daren has heavily brushed off his face today. Doesn't he hate you to the core? It's just that daren's imperial favor is flourishing and you are about to be appointed as the Inner Factory Supervisor. He was in the wrong in the first place and doesn't dare to offend you. "
Yang Ling hesitantly said: "Although that female official has some relationship with him, he shouldn't … shouldn't hold a grudge against me because of this matter?"
Gu Daeyong said: "This is not a small matter to him. Sir Yang, if he can't protect this female official today, how will others believe that he can protect a second one tomorrow? He has just been appointed as the Inner Palace Supervisor, how can he establish his authority? The servants in the palace are all very snobbish. The people of the six palaces and twenty bureaus are all watching. Eunuch Ma has just been promoted. He has received benefits from others, but he can't protect others. In the future, who will be filial to him?
I used to follow Li Guang, Li Gonggong to make a living in Dongchang. I can see this clearly in the officialdom. Sometimes two groups of people will fight fiercely and the whole world will know about it. But after the quarrel, both sides will eventually stop. The big matter will be reduced to a small matter and the small matter will be turned into nothing. This is because there is no benefit involved. But sometimes a small matter, which looks unremarkable, can be the fuse of life and death. It's only because there are benefits involved.
It's a small matter if you don't give him face, but if you cut off his wealth, don't you think he will be angry? His power and position are not as high as Daren's. Even if he hates you to the bone, he doesn't need to be afraid. But Daren is about to take charge of the Inner Works. At that time, he will take over the Revenue Supervisor and compete with Dongchang for benefits. What do you think the Rites Supervisor and the eunuchs of Dongchang will do? Sir Yang, you are kind to others, but don't think others are kind. You don't have the intention to harm others, but others have the intention to harm you! "
Yang Ling looked at Gu Daeyong in bewilderment. Gu Daeyong saw that he had listened to his words. He was about to say a few more words when suddenly a eunuch came in from outside and asked: "Where is His Majesty?"
As soon as Gu Daeyong saw that it was Dongchang Eunuch Fan, he quickly stood up and respectfully said: "Eunuch Fan, His Majesty has drunk a few cups and is currently resting?"
Fan Ting made an 'oh' sound and turned to leave. Suddenly he saw Yang Ling and stopped. The corners of his mouth carried a cold smile as he said: "Sir Yang, today I heard that His Majesty is going to set up an Inner Editing factory. It will supervise two factories and one guard and take over the Revenue Supervisor position. This Inner Works Factory Supervisor will be you. Tsk, tsk, tsk, good methods, good methods. The younger generation will surpass us in time. Hey! What do you say? That's right, this is called luring the wolf into the house! "
Yang Ling knew that Old Wang Yue was not greedy for power. On the contrary, the two generals under his command, Dongchang Fan Ting and West Factory Miao Kui, each had their own ambitions. At the beginning, Fan Ting and Zhang Xiu brought him into the Palace only because they wanted to have someone who was favored by the future Emperor's side. Who would have thought that after being favored by the future Emperor, Fan Ting would become their hidden enemy instead? No wonder he was angry.
Yang Ling showed weakness and gave in. "Eunuch Fan," he said, "Lowly official is also forced to do something beyond my abilities, and was forced to accept this task. Actually, with two factories and one guard, there is no need to open an inner factory. Lowly official has neither the manpower nor the money, it is only a small matter. Perhaps one day the Emperor will find it unpleasant and remove it. Why should Gong-gong take it to heart? "
Dongchang's power was too strong. Miao Kui was in charge of the West Factory and the Imperial Horse Supervisor, and was responsible for supervising Dongchang. Even so, he did not dare to act rashly and repeatedly suffered losses in Dongchang's hands. Yang Ling did not want to offend such a powerful figure.
Unexpectedly, his words touched Fan Ting's sore spot. Fan Ting sneered and said in a strange tone, "Mr Yang is more promising than Miao Kui. As soon as you took office, you snatched the position of tax supervisor. The money that passes through your hands every year can be piled up into a mountain, and you still say you have no money? But those tax supervisors are not easy to deal with. If Mr Yang wants them to be obedient, you have to put in more effort. "
Finished speaking, Fan Ting flicked his sleeve and walked out. Gu Daeyong softly said, "Mr Yang, what do you think? This is the word 'profit'. People in Jianghu have no choice. The imperial court is a vanity fair, a Jianghu. In this Jianghu, if you are not careful, a sharp blade will be placed on your neck. Eunuch Fan is afraid of you. Even if you want to avoid him, he will not give you a chance to make a comeback in order to eliminate future troubles.
The news of opening an inner factory has been spread out. This West Factory must be built whether you want to or not. If you want to build it, you must build it as soon as possible. Daren, if you don't want to have the power to contend with him, do you want to wait for him to clean you up step by step? "
Yang Ling remembered Ma Yongcheng's fierce and ferocious eyes, remembered Fan Ting's malicious sneer, remembered the foreign ministers who regarded him as a treacherous sycophant, and the eunuchs who now have a murderous intention towards him. He could not help but feel his blood run cold. Now that danger is everywhere, there is danger at every step, what should I do?
Gu Daeyong was still chattering incessantly, "Mr Yang, in the past you have worked in Dongchang. Daren is building an inner factory. If you need my help, please don't hesitate to tell me. Although Gu Daeyong dare not say that I can be of great use, I sincerely want to help Daren come up with a plan, to serve like a dog or a horse!"
But Yang Ling's mind had already drifted away, he simply could not hear.
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