Chapter 20: The Establishment of the Embroidered Uniform Guard

Cao Xiu’s eyes widened to their fullest. The emperor’s sudden decree to strip him of his status had already struck him like a thunderbolt, making him feel that Zhu Yuanzhang had gone too far. No punishment, however severe, could compare to this. Yet who would have imagined that Zhu Yuanzhang, that despicable man, would deal him such a fatal blow! How dare he? His mother had saved his life! If not for her, Zhu Chongba, that herdsman boy, would have starved to death long ago! And now this wretch, utterly ungrateful, had ruthlessly struck him down! “Do you… do you have any conscience toward my mother… my mother?” Boundless fury and grievance surged within him as he strained his broken throat, summoning all his remaining strength to utter those words in a changed tone and barely audible voice. After speaking, life quickly left his body.

“Do you have conscience toward your mother?” Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes were cold and filled with disdain. With his foot pressing down on Cao Xiu’s shoulder, he drew his sword, dragging it back and forth over the body several times to wipe away the blood before sheathing it. Then he summoned attendants to remove the mourning hall, cleanse the bloodstains, and carry Cao Xiu’s corpse toward the assembly grounds of the Imperial Guards Command.

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Three thousand six hundred men of the Imperial Guards Command had been assembled in formation for nearly half an hour. Some were growing impatient, but seeing Left Commander Liu Ying standing motionless at the front, and recalling the strict military regulations set by the emperor, none dared to move or speak. Most were puzzled. The Imperial Guards Command usually operated in shifts, and except under extraordinary circumstances, would never be fully assembled. Even during the recent raid on the residence of Marquis Liao Yongzhong, only those on duty were mobilized. Yet now, the entire garrison had been gathered. The purpose for summoning them remained unknown; they were simply waiting there, which was agonizing.

Many noticed that Right Commander Cao Xiu was absent. His designated position stood empty. Yet no one thought much of it. Cao Xiu was highly favored by His Majesty, so his absence surely meant he was assigned elsewhere. Several commanders of the Imperial Guards Command—Hu Shan, Zhu Xian, Mei Yi—knew that Cao Xiu had been summoned by the emperor earlier. Hu Shan, nephew of Hu Weiyong, and Zhu Xian, son of Zhu Liangzu, were somewhat aware of the situation. They suspected it had something to do with the earlier raid on Liao Yongzhong’s household. But despite their knowledge, they had no reason to worry. They all knew the emperor’s special favor toward Cao Xiu was due to his mother. Cao Xiu had made mistakes several times before, yet the emperor had never punished him. At worst, this time he might be reprimanded or receive a few lashes. Nothing more.

Amidst these swirling thoughts, the emperor arrived. Everyone immediately composed themselves. Led by Liu Ying, they all bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang. The emperor accepted their salute, his gaze sweeping over the assembled men with overwhelming authority. Even their own fathers would not dare to act rashly before this emperor, who was on the verge of unifying the realm through a trail of bloodshed—let alone these subordinates.

“Bring Cao Xiu here!” The emperor’s first words after dismissing their salute caused everyone’s hearts to leap. From his tone, it was clear Cao Xiu had been severely punished—and not just in private. He was to be publicly dealt with. Otherwise, the emperor would not have ordered his presence be summoned so plainly.

When a moment later they saw Cao Xiu’s lifeless body carried forward, many were shaken to their core. Some turned pale. The scene was utterly unexpected and profoundly shocking—no one had anticipated that the emperor would strike so hard at Cao Xiu. Not a mere reprimand or flogging, but outright execution!

“Cao Xiu is the son of Wang Ganniang, who once showed me great kindness, which I have always repaid. Without her, Cao Xiu would not have reached the position he holds today. Yet Cao Xiu has repeatedly grown arrogant on the strength of my favor, committing numerous offenses. As Right Commander of the Imperial Guards Command, he has acted unlawfully and betrayed my trust! He paid lip service while secretly opposing me! At critical moments, he betrayed me and harbored treacherous intentions, plotting to kill loyal and high-ranking ministers of the state! I had no choice but to deal with him decisively! Today, I also warn all of you: do not rely on your status to act recklessly or unlawfully! Loyalty that is not absolute is absolute disloyalty!” Zhu Yuanzhang’s stern words sent a chill through the assembled guards.

“The Imperial Guards Command bears a grave responsibility and holds a special status as my most trusted men. Yet Cao Xiu has betrayed that trust—this truly wounds me deeply. And I believe he is not the only one. Among you, there must be others no different from him!” These words struck like thunder, causing many to break out in cold sweat—men like Zhu Xian and Hu Shan, commanders next in rank to the commanders themselves. The emperor’s words were terrifying. They had been involved in the earlier raid on Liao Yongzhong’s household; Hu Shan had even personally set fire to the incriminating letter. Now, with Cao Xiu’s corpse before them, they did not think the emperor was joking. They feared the next moment might be their turn to be executed publicly.

“Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided to reform the Imperial Guards Command! From today onward, the Imperial Guards Command is abolished and replaced by the Embroidered Uniform Guard! Liu Ying shall serve as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!” Zhu Yuanzhang’s declaration was earth-shattering. Not only had Cao Xiu been executed, but the entire command was dissolved, leaving many uncertain about their future. This news had not been disclosed beforehand. Liu Ying, suddenly appointed, showed no reaction and accepted the order immediately. This explained why Zhu Yuanzhang had favored Liu Ying, entrusting him first with the Imperial Guards Command and now with the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Compared to Cao Xiu, Liu Ying was neither as clever nor as smooth, but possessed a quality Cao Xiu lacked: absolute loyalty. He would carry out orders without deviation. This was exactly what the position required.

In the previous life, Zhu Yuanzhang had established the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign. But now, having returned to the second day of the eighth year of Hongwu, he was already abolishing the Imperial Guards Command and instituting the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Finding disloyal elements within the palace guards was intolerable. Moreover, his past experience had clearly shown him the power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—a sharp and effective weapon.

Since he intended to purge corruption and unruly influences, forging this weapon was necessary. Cao Xiu’s foolish treachery provided a convenient pretext.

In fact, before the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there had been a similar organization responsible for intelligence gathering called the Inspection Bureau. But at the founding of the dynasty, ministers like Li Shanchang, Wang Guangyang, Liu Bowen, Hu Weiyong, and Song Lian had petitioned for its dissolution, arguing the new dynasty needed a fresh start. At the time, Zhu Yuanzhang had acquiesced, but with hindsight, he felt that decision was rash.

Even in his previous life, despite regrets, he hesitated for years before finally establishing the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the fifteenth year of Hongwu. Now, without hesitation, he reinstated it immediately.

The ministers would undoubtedly resist once they learned of this new institution. They might even unite in opposition. But Zhu Yuanzhang was resolute. Let them resist! He had installed his own “human surveillance cameras” among them, and they would be miserable—but what of it? Experience taught him that expecting officials to be self-disciplined and incorruptible was as futile as expecting a sow to climb a tree. No amount of admonition, instruction, or punishment could change them.

So, if loyalty and moral guidance fail, fear must be used to enforce discipline. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was a sword—one that, even if unused, must never be absent!

Later in the Ming dynasty, the struggle between the emperor and the bureaucracy gave rise to the Eastern and Western Depots, forming the secret police system unique to the Ming. The dynasty’s fall under Chongzhen was due to many factors, and though not all blame can be placed on him, his many reckless decisions played a significant role. For example, immediately after ascending the throne, he executed Wei Zhongxian under the influence of many civil officials. Killing Wei Zhongxian was not remarkable in itself. But in that situation, Chongzhen should have promptly established a new instrument of control to balance the civil officials and manage taxation through secret police. Instead, he abolished such agencies altogether. This blunder enraged Zhu Yuanzhang.

Following the abolition, civil officials praised the move as if it would solve all problems. Yet, in truth, the emperor could no longer collect taxes effectively. Though the Ming had many issues, Zhu Youjian’s actions accelerated its collapse. Even a clever woman cannot cook without rice, and a poor couple faces endless hardship—how much more so a court that cannot collect its revenues?

With these experiences and lessons from the Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang harbored no doubt or hesitation about establishing the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His thoughts swiftly shifted as his gaze settled on Hu Shan, nephew of Hu Weiyong, who served as a commander in the Imperial Guards Command...