Chapter Nineteen: Cleaning House

The Office of the Imperial Guards was established in the second year of the Hongwu reign, replacing the original Palace Guard Division. Originally subordinate to the Grand Commander’s Office, it was later separated by Zhu Yuanzhang himself. Its duties encompassed guarding the imperial palace and providing ceremonial escorts for the emperor’s travels. The office comprised five military units—front, rear, left, right, and center—along with the Ceremonial Carriage Division.

The men serving here were not only tall and robust, skilled in archery and horsemanship, but also required absolute loyalty to the emperor. This was understandable. To guard the imperial city and handle ceremonial duties, one had to be physically capable and proficient in martial skills. As for unwavering loyalty to the emperor, that was beyond question.

Yet, ironically, it was loyalty—something Zhu Yuanzhang valued most—that had become problematic. Even more troubling was that the issue involved Cao Xiu, the Right Commander of the Imperial Guards and the actual second-in-command—someone Zhu Yuanzhang trusted deeply. How could the emperor’s mood not be complex and troubled?

The personnel within the Imperial Guards generally fell into two categories. One consisted of the scions of noble ministers and high-ranking generals, a longstanding tradition proven to offer many advantages. These included relatively high loyalty, good physical fitness, opportunities to cultivate personal relationships with the emperor, social advancement, and, if their ancestors harbored rebellious tendencies, they could be held as hostages in a legitimate manner.

The other group comprised the sons of soldiers who had fallen during Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise to power—boys he personally raised and later inducted into the Imperial Guards. Their loyalty was never in doubt.

After issuing orders, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned incense, paper money, fire basins, and offerings. In the Wuying Hall, he personally set up a simple memorial altar. Lighting incense and arranging offerings, he bowed reverently before a memorial tablet he had written himself for Lady Wang, his foster mother. He then knelt by the fire basin, burning paper money.

Images of Lady Wang appeared in his mind—her handing him food and aiding him on his journey to the Imperial Awakening Temple. Although his time there was brief, as famine soon forced the temple to close and he became a wanderer, a beggar, he never forgot the kindness shown to him.

“Foster Mother, your kindness I have remembered and repaid for nearly twenty years since I first gained some ability. How I’ve treated him over these years, if you watch from above, you surely understand. I intend to continue repaying this debt, benefiting your descendants forever. But Foster Mother, your son has forgotten his roots! He rejects this grace. A favor of a cup of rice repaid with enmity…”

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke slowly, his low voice hoarse with emotion.

...

Led by the eunuch Wang, Cao Xiu arrived at the Wuying Hall feeling rather at ease. Although the emperor had suddenly ordered all personnel of the Imperial Guards to assemble and specifically summoned him here, he harbored little worry. During the raid on Liao Yongzhong’s residence the previous night, he had turned a blind eye, deliberately lax but discreet.

The emperor surely did not know. Even if he did, he would not punish him. After all, his mother had rendered great service to Zhu Yuanzhang! The emperor would neither be ungrateful nor dare to be so. This was Cao Xiu’s greatest confidence.

Upon entering Wuying Hall, the smoke and the familiar scent of burning paper money surprised him. He wondered what the emperor was doing. After the eunuch informed him, and he was allowed inside, Cao Xiu’s confusion deepened at the sight of the setup.

Wasn’t this the place where the emperor handled military and political affairs? Why was there a memorial altar here?

However, upon reading the temporary memorial tablet, his doubts vanished, and any lingering worry dissipated. Who but his own mother would be worthy of the emperor personally setting up a memorial here?

He first bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang, who waved him off and gestured toward the remaining paper money, indicating that Cao Xiu should burn some as well. Kneeling, Cao Xiu kowtowed thrice before the tablet and placed the paper money into the fire basin.

“Mother, you left too soon, never enjoying peace. Had you lived longer, you would have seen how successful your son has become and how well the emperor treats our family…”

He spoke as he burned the paper, voice growing louder and more impassioned, until tears welled and fell. Zhu Yuanzhang observed coldly, fully aware that Cao Xiu was putting on a show, feigning deep emotion to curry favor and repay kindness. That tactic might have worked before, but now, after repeated offenses, playing this card was an insult to his intelligence. Did Cao Xiu truly think he was that merciless?

“Your Majesty, forgive me. I lost control of my emotions for a moment.”

After a tearful performance, having said all he intended, Cao Xiu stifled his sobs and rose to apologize to the emperor.

“Nothing to forgive. Mother and son share a bond; it is natural to show such feelings. This is genuine emotion,” Zhu Yuanzhang affirmed, making Cao Xiu feel all the more justified in his act.

“From today forth, you are relieved of your position as Right Commander of the Imperial Guards,” the emperor said without preamble.

Startled, then overjoyed, Cao Xiu believed the emperor had finally seen reason and was promoting him. Whether to Left Commander or another high post, he thought, given his mother’s great service to the emperor, any promotion was deserved. When he was first ennobled, he had thought he might not reach duke but settling for marquis was enough. Yet, the emperor had not even granted him the title of count.

Thankfully, Zhu Yuanzhang had finally awakened and was ready to elevate him! This thought filled him with delight, and his smile was unstoppable.

Liu Ying, that fool, could never compare!

“Instead, all your official titles are revoked. You shall become a commoner. Your talents and character are unfit for office. Unworthy of your rank, you will only bring ruin upon yourself.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s calm voice struck like thunder in Cao Xiu’s mind. His body trembled, his forced smile frozen in place. Instinctively, he looked up at the emperor, disbelief etched across his face.

What did the emperor say? Relieved of the Right Commander role wasn’t a promotion; it was dismissal?! Why? How dare he!

“Your Majesty, I... I have been loyal and diligent, never erring. This... this…” Though furious inside, he dared not show it, only displaying fear, confusion, and despair.

“Loyal and never erring?” Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, fixing his gaze on Cao Xiu. “In front of your foster mother’s memorial tablet, do you dare say that again with a clear conscience?”

Hesitating, Cao Xiu collapsed to his knees before Lady Wang’s tablet.

“Mother, when you lived, you loved me dearly and knew my character well. I am not one to lie. The emperor has shown great kindness to our family. I owe all I have to his favor. How could I ever be ungrateful or betray him? Truly, I am loyal to the emperor!”

Tears streaming, he kowtowed repeatedly.

Seeing this, a flash of disappointment crossed Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes. This was his final chance, suppressing his anger, yet Cao Xiu remained unchanged. There was nothing more to be done.

“Foster Mother, you have witnessed all this...” Zhu Yuanzhang murmured softly, stepping forward to gently lay down the memorial tablet and cover it with white cloth. Attendants carried it out with reverence.

Having done so, he turned to Cao Xiu, who still knelt before him. Without hesitation, the emperor drew his sword and plunged it into the back of Cao Xiu’s neck, the blade's tip emerging three inches beyond his throat.

Cao Xiu’s body shuddered violently; his eyes widened in shock, his face frozen in utter disbelief.